New Arizona Law Requires Lifesaving Measures in Assisted Living Communities

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a new law requiring state assisted living communities and their staff have an affirmative duty of care for their residents, reports KTAR News 92.3 FM . Caregivers must now perform lifesaving measures if a patient suffers a medical emergency in an assisted living community. Such measures include basic life support of initiating immediate cardiac resuscitation before firefighters or emergency medical services arrive, as stipulated by the resident's advance directives and do-not-resuscitate order. "What all of us as first responders hope is that the six to eight minutes before the firetruck arrives, is that everything possible is being done, everything that's necessary for that patient's outcome," said firefighter Steve Wagner. "That's what we hope this will accomplish." Proper lifesaving measure training is expected for all caregivers in Arizona, in accordance with the new law.