HAZLETON - An 87-year-old woman died at a California senior living facility after a nurse refused to administer CPR, saying it was against her company's policy to perform CPR on residents.
It's a scenario that likely wouldn't happen here, according to a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, which licenses the state's assisted living and personal care facilities.
"In adult care licensing in Pennsylvania, anyone who is able to perform CPR must perform CPR," said Donna Kirker Morgan.
The CPR regulations have been in effect at Pennsylvania personal care homes since 2005 and at assisted living facilities since 2012.
Ms. Kirker Morgan said penalties are assessed on facilities and individuals who violate the regulations.
"If the situation described in this article had happened in Pennsylvania, the facility would be cited for a regulatory violation and the nurse would be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of State for investigation," she said.
Heritage Hill Senior Community employees are well aware of the rule, said Denise Langman, executive director of the Weatherly facility. Staffers, she said, are reminded of it during frequent training and recertification courses.
"All our policies are based on the state regulations," said Ms. Langman.
According to regulations, facilities must have at least one CPR-trained staff person on duty for every 50 residents.
The only case when CPR isn't required is when a person has a do-not-resuscitate order, Ms. Kirker Morgan said.
Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com