Lorraine Bayless died at Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield (Picture: AP)

A criminal investigation has been launched after a nurse refused to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a dying 87-year-old woman at a Californian retirement home.

Lorraine Bayless collapsed in the dining room of her home at Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield last Tuesday before an unidentified woman called 911 requesting medical assistance.

Operator Tracey Halvorson then advised a nurse who took over the phone call to perform CPR on the woman.

The nurse refused to perform CPR on Lorraine Bayless (Picture: AP)

The nurse refused the request however, claiming she was not permitted to perform CPR on Ms Bayless who lived in an independent living building which does not operate under licensing oversight.




Her death has sparked outrage across America and has raised concerns that policies at senior living facilities could prevent staff from intervening in medical emergencies.

‘I understand if your boss is telling you, you can’t do it,’ the dispatcher said to the nurse. ‘But … as a human being … you know, is there anybody that’s willing to help this lady and not let her die?’

‘Not at this time,’ the nurse answered.

The operator later pleaded: ‘Can we flag someone down in the street and get them to help this lady? Can we flag a stranger down? I bet a stranger would help her.

Glenwood Gardens has defended the nurse’s actions (Picture: AP)

‘Give the phone to a passer-by. This woman is not breathing enough. She is going to die if we don’t get this started, do you understand?’

Glenwood Gardens home has defended the nurse insisting she followed the correct protocol.

Bakersfield Police Department said its investigation so far had not revealed criminal wrongdoing, but the probe is continuing.