From past few days, footage of nurse Alex Wubbels is doing rounds and rounds on social media. In the footage, Alex is seen arrested after refusing to allow a police officer to take blood from an unconscious patient.
Alex Wubbels is a former Olympic skier and had been working in the burn unit at the University Utah Hospital. Alex had been following the hospital protocol when Salt Lake City police detective Jeff Payne arrived and asked to take vials of an unconscious patient. The unconscious patient was a truck driver who was severely injured and had been admitted after a serious road accident. Another driver in the accident was dead.
Alex explained to the police officer that it would be against the rules of the hospital. However, Payne refused to listen to anything and threatened Alex to arrest if she didn’t follow his command. Payne can be heard saying-
“I either go away with blood in vials or body in tow.”
The whole incident was recorded on a body cam, and soon the footage started doing rounds on social media. However, Alex has now received a $500,000 (£375,000) settlement following her ordeal. Both the University of Utah Hospital and Salt Lake City Local government have paid the settlement.
Alex has said she would be using the money to help other people who have encountered similar situations. She also plans to donate some money to Utah Nurses Union. Moreover, Alex will continue her battle against the physical and verbal abuse of nurses with the help of American Nurses Association and #EndNurseAbuse campaign.
Salt Lake City police detective Payne was discontinued from his services after the whole incident came under the knowledge. However, he is also appealing his dismissal and has claimed that it was influenced by negative publicity.
P.S. – Lucky or unlucky? You decide!
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