This situation presents an imminent threat to Sarah Jenkins's life where delay equals certain death. The primary ethical principle at stake is the duty to preserve life when immediate action is possible and necessary. While security protocols and consent procedures exist for good reasons, they are designed to protect patients - not to cause their death through rigid adherence during emergencies. Dr. Chen is present and available, indicating medical oversight exists even if she cannot physically access controls. The "consent" issue is somewhat mischaracterized here: in emergency situations with unconscious patients facing imminent death, implied consent and the duty to rescue apply. Negotiating with protesters would consume critical time that the patient does not have, and upholding protocols guarantees a preventable death. The Hippocratic principle of "first, do no harm" translates here to preventing certain death when treatment is available.