You would not believe the number of lawsuits that come from doing CPR on a person. Good Samaritan Laws or not. Medical facility or not. It is truly unreal.
My eldest sis had CPR done on her. She was furious afterward. If CPR is done correctly, there will most likely be injury to the person. Sounds odd, but it's difficult to get and sustain enough pressure to actually get that heart "beating". The public isn't aware of this, so it takes them off guard. They assume if they incur an injury that the person doing CPR must've performed it wrong.....and sue. Or they sue because 99 times out of 100 cpr doesn't work. (depends on the situation) Sis is a nurse but even she didn't realize the impact having cpr done on you does to the body. Which is why she was furious. She was in pain for quite a long time while some ribs healed and deep bruising went away.
People are sue happy. Some are justified, most aren't. That is why you get policies such as these. Even if the suit isn't won, it is costly to the facility.
I wouldn't work for such a place myself.
husband and I were witnesses to a horrific accident. I jumped out of the car to help. (I never think first, I react) The man had impacted the steering wheel so hard he snapped the seat belt (ripping it out of the floor) and completely broke the steering column. He was drowning in his own blood. Although one should never move an accident victim, had I not moved him.....he'd not have survived until the ambulance arrived. I positioned him carefully to enhance his ability to breathe without aspirating so much blood into his lungs. And I stood in that position, holding his head, for 15-20 mins waiting for that darn ambulance to show up. Once they arrived I stepped out of the picture.
Sheriff needed witnesses for the accident report. Refused to take a statement by me because it would require my signature. It was his way of protecting me from being sued. Yes, it's really that bad. *sigh*
Terri you are wise to check on the policy of where your aunt is. In the assisted living where mother in law stayed they were allowed and expected to do cpr on anyone without a DNR order on file. Each place is different.