TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- The nation was shocked this week when a nurse refused to perform CPR on an unconscious 87-year-old woman living at an assisted living facility in California.
But, as it turned out, family members of the deceased woman said it was her desire not to be revived.
Local police did not file charges against the caretaker nor the facililty.
It's a delicate situation in which caretakers and other professionals at similar facilities can find themselves.
So, what are the parameters in such situations?
We put that question to the director at one local assisted living home in Tupelo.
Avon Lea is an assisted living and retirement community.
Danyel Filgo says there are different types of facilities with different types of procedures when it comes to administering CPR.
"Well, I think again that you need to look back at how or what is expected with an independent living facility with what we've been seeing on the news versus an assisted living," said Filgo.
"And again too, it's going to be based upon the facility. How they want to handle that and how their policies and procedures read. I can't speak for other facilities but I do know that we find it is an important topic that needs to be approached at admission. To make sure we can honor the wishes of the resident if the time comes about," she added.
During admission at Avon Lea, patients have the option to sign a "do-not-resuscitate" form, or DNR.
She says the State of Mississippi does have minimal standards for care facilities.
Filgo adds that her facility goes well beyond those requirements.
She says workers are trained in CPR and will administer it until emergency responders arrive, if the resident has requested.
