Report: Lapses in medical care possibly contributed to Chemung inmate's fatal heart attack
The death by heart attack of an inmate at the Chemung County Jail last year could possibly have been prevented if he had received better medical care, according to a report from a state watchdog agency.
The New York State Commission of Correction sent a copy of the report to Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom after its Medical Review Board looked into the January 2023 death of inmate Douglas Blaney.
Blaney, 42, was committed to the jail May 31, 2022 on multiple charges, including second-degree menacing, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and a violation of parole. Charges of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon were later added.
Blaney was on parole at the time for previous convictions in Chemung and Schuyler counties for burglary, attempted burglary and criminal sale of a controlled substance.
On Jan. 4, 2023, Blaney suffered an acute myocardial infarction with cardiac arrest while in custody at the jail. He died three days later at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, according to the report, which concluded insufficient medical care prior to the heart attack might have been a contributing factor.
"Although Blaney’s heart attack and cardiac arrest may not have been completely preventable, there were identified lapses and deficiencies in the healthcare that he received prior to his terminal event," the report stated. "The Medical Review Board opines that had Blaney received proper medical assessments and treatment, hisunderlying cardiovascular disease would have been recognized and proper medical management could have been initiated."
Blaney was reportedly single and had no stated employment history, the report said, although he did have a daughter, according to his obituary.
The review board's findings included a diagnosis of high blood pressure which was not referred for further follow-up, lack of adequate assessment of vital signs during multiple encounters with medical staff, and lack of a full health assessment within two weeks of Blaney's admission, in violation of the jail's own guidelines.
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Requirements issued by the Medical Review Board
Following a review of medical care prior to and during Blaney's cardiac arrest, the Medical Review Board issued the following requirements for the jail physician:
A quality assurance review to assure that all admission physicals on new admitted individuals to the jail are completed within required time frames.
A quality assurance review with medical staff to assure that proper assessments and vital signs are documented appropriately on individuals who present at sick call encounters.
A quality assurance review regarding why documented incidents of vertigo and falls by Blaney coupled with findings of hypertension were not referred for further diagnostic review and follow-up.
A review of current hypertension screening protocols utilized by medical staff to assure individuals are adequately assessed for potential cardiovascular disease.
How Chemung County Sheriff's Office responded
The report noted the Chemung County Sheriff's Office and jail physician did respond to the findings, indicating a quality assurance meeting was conducted and corrective action, including policy review, was taken with medical staff.
"Our office's quality assurance team convenes regularly to adapt/update procedures in light of emerging technological and medical advancements," Schrom said. "This ensures that we continuously refine our processes to uphold the highest standards of care and safety."
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Report: Lapses in care before Chemung inmate's fatal heart attack
