When an 87-year-old female at Glenwood Gardens, a retirement center and nursing home, collapsed the nurses followed protocol and called for emergency medical help.

The 911 dispatcher pleaded with the nursing home staffer to perform CPR, but the nurse refused, saying it was against the facility’s rules.

The elderly woman had troubled breathing, so the 911 dispatcher became desperate for someone to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived.

“As a human being … is there anyone there that is willing to help this lady and not let her die?” The 911 dispatcher asked.

“Not at this time,” the nurse responded.

The dispatcher asked if the nurse could find anyone, a passerby to perform CPR saying that the woman would likely die if CPR was not performed.

“Is there a gardener or any staff that doesn’t work for you? Flag someone down on the street.”

The elderly woman died at the hospital.

Glenwood Gardens released a statement after the incident:

“In the event of a health emergency at this independent living community our practice is to immediately call emergency medical personnel for assistance and to wait with the individual needing attention until such personnel arrives. That is the protocol we followed.”

Despite having followed protocol, the retirement center will launch an internal investigation into the matter.

It is not yet clear whether CRP would have saved the woman’s life.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

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