'HELP ME!' Nurse cuffed after refusing to draw patient's blood

A Utah nurse screamed "help me" after a cop handcuffed her for refusing to draw blood on an unconscious patient July 26, police body camera footage showed.

The video showed University of Utah Hospital nurse Alex Wubbels, an Alpine skier who participated in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympic games, calmly explaining to Salt Lake Detective Jeff Payne that she could not draw blood from a patient who had been injured in a car accident, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

UTAH WOMAN GETS PRISON FOR STARVING SON, LOCKING HIM IN FECES-COVERED 'TORTURE CHAMBER'

Wubbels told Payne the patient was required to give consent for a blood sample or be under arrest. Otherwise, she said police needed a warrant. Payne threatened to imprison Wubbels if he was not given the blood sample, according to the video.

"I either go away with blood in vials or body in tow," Payne is shown saying.

Wubbels, who was on the phone with her supervisor, explained the situation to the supervisor, who agreed with the nurse and reportedly told the cop, "sir, you're making a huge mistake because you're threatening a nurse."

Upon hearing that, Payne announced Wubbels was under arrest and physically moved her outside the hospital while she screamed.

Wubbels yelled, "Help! Stop! I did nothing wrong!" while being handcuffed.

Payne was attempting to get a blood sample from a patient who was burned after being involved in a head-on crash with a pick-up truck driver that was fleeing police, the Washington Post reported. The driver died in the incident.

Wubbels was not charged and police have started an internal investigation. Payne remained on duty although he was suspended from blood-draw duties.

Christina Judd, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police, has apologized to the hospital and said the department was alarmed by what they witnessed in the video.

PHOTOSHOPPED KKK HOODS ON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS PICTURE OUTRAGES PARENTS

Judd said the department was working to investigate what went wrong and is seeking to repair the "unfortunate rift" it has caused.

Wubbels said she had been told of other hospital employees being harassed by officers and this footage proved their claim. She has not pressed charges yet but would consider it if police did not change their ways.

"I can't sit on this video and not attempt to speak out both to re-educate and inform," Wubbels told The Salt Lake Tribune. Police departments "need to be having conversations about what is appropriate intervention."

The hospital supported Wubbels actions and said it would consider pressing charges. 

"University of Utah Health supports Nurse Wubbles and her decision to focus first and foremost on the care and well-being of her patient," said Suzanne Winchester, the hospital's media relations manager. "She followed procedures and protocols in this matter and was acting in her patient's best interest. We have worked with our law enforcement partners on this issue to ensure an appropriate process for moving forward."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)