I used to do insurance inspections at "assisted living facilities" in California a few years ago and it is standard procedure to call 911 in the event of a medical emergency. Even though the staff are usually certified nurses assistants who have CPR training some facilities do not allow them to perform any procedures on their clients.
Some facilities have been sued for intervening in spite of the Good Samaritan law. So many do not take a chance.
This is entirely correct, and people should be aware of the reality of these situations. In my view, it is entirely acceptable for an elderly patient to state and document that they do not want to have resuscitation attempted if they suffer sudden death, but this has to be spelled out before hand, including the details of what they do and don't want done (e.g. attempted cardioversion, but no chest compressions or intubation, etc.). In cases in which a patient has requested this, and resuscitation attempts were made anyway, lawsuits have resulted. This is not the same as assisted suicide. This is a decision for non-intervention when natural death occurs. Of course, this begs the question of 'what is natural death?'.
Sued in the past is the correct answer. It’s likely someone broke a rib giving CPR and became a defendant along with the nursing home. I recall one nursing home that had a problem with government inspectors. One told them to remove the non-slip stickers in the tubs and showers—would cause foot fungus. Another told them to keep the stickers and avoid broken hips. Let’s see: foot fungus or broken hip? broken rib or death? Such tough decisions.