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