INMATES DESERVE TO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION WHEN THEY'RE IN NEED

As a registered nurse, I am appalled and disgusted by the lack of care
Michelle Greer received from the Taycheedah Correctional Institution staff
("Inmate death outrages legislators," Feb 16).

I don't understand how a nurse could have decided Greer's condition wasn't
emergent without examining her or, at the very least, speaking with her over
the phone. Acute respiratory distress is an emergency and should be treated
as such. Waiting until the person can't speak is ridiculous, and, as we can
see in this case, it can also be fatal.

This woman had a known history of asthma, and her inhaler was ineffective.
She told various staff members of this several times but was still denied
treatment. The nursing staff should have had her escorted to the infirmary
as soon as they were notified of the problem.

If she had been living out in the community and called her doctor or a
hospital, she would have been told to call 911 immediately.

I agree with state Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee) and state Sen. Judy
Robson (D-Beloit) that an external audit should be conducted. I thought
there were laws against cruel and inhuman treatment, oh, I mean punishment.

Kim Cannon
Milwaukee