Week #8 - Good Samaritan

            Advocacy has been a theme in our world for longer than we realize. The classic Bible story of “The Good Samaritan” is essentially a story about advocacy. In this story a person goes far out of their way, even going against their religious mandates in order to help someone in need. This story is often used as a reminder to do good things for others. But when real-life emergencies arise, do people actually stand up and help?

            In class we discussed a situation that occurred in California where the Good Samaritan principles were put to test. An old woman has a heart attack at a nursing home where they have a no CPR policy. The staff calls 911 so first-responders can come help, however they refuse to help the woman themselves. The woman who answers the 911 call, begs the staff members to help the woman. The staff continues to refuse. The 911 responder becomes frantic, she begs the staff members to pull someone off of the street to help. The woman dies.

            Was it wrong to refuse CPR? I believe that the staff were following rules and therefore were not wrong in refusing to preform CPR. However, if I was in that position, I would not be able to stand there and let the woman die. I would feel morally obligated to do everything in my power to save her. (But that’s just who I am, I can’t be a bystander. I have to be an advocate.)

            So the new problem is the policy. Why would a nursing home/senior living facility have a no CPR policy? (Insurance issues?) Is it ethical to be in a medical facility and not provide simple medical services? In my opinion, no. All the nurses and CAN’s in the facility should be trained in CPR, so why would the nursing home have a policy against it? It is understandable for individuals to have DNR orders, but for an entire facility to refuse to resuscitate seems illogical.

            In conclusion, this situation is just one example where no Good Samaritan stands up. Maybe it is our human nature, or maybe it is our culture; but something keeps us from taking action. Whatever it is, we need to rise above it and become activists and advocates when the situation calls for it.