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A state watchdog report says the death of an inmate from a heart attack at the Chemung County Jail last year could have been prevented if he had received better medical care.

The New York State Commission of Corrections sent a copy of the report to Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom after the Medical Review Board investigated the January 2023 death of inmate Douglas Blaney.

Blaney, 42, was booked into jail on May 31, 2022, on multiple charges, including second-degree menacing, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and parole violation. He was later charged with second- and third-degree weapons possession charges.

Blaney was on parole at the time after being convicted of robbery, attempted robbery and criminal sale of a controlled substance in Chemung and Schuyler counties.

On January 4, 2023, Blaney suffered an acute myocardial infarction and went into cardiac arrest while in prison. He died three days later at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, the report said, concluding that inadequate medical care before his heart attack may have been a contributing factor.

“While Mr. Blaney’s heart attack and cardiac arrest may not have been completely preventable, the lack and deficiencies in the medical care he received prior to the terminal event were identified,” the report said. There is. “The Medical Review Board is of the opinion that had Blaney received appropriate medical evaluation and treatment, his underlying cardiovascular disease would have been recognized and appropriate medical management initiated. It shows.”

Blaney was reportedly single and had an undisclosed employment history, according to his obituary, but said he had a daughter.

The review committee’s findings included a diagnosis of high blood pressure in which Blaney was not referred for further follow-up, a lack of proper assessment of vital signs at multiple meetings with medical staff, and Blaney’s failure to be referred for further follow-up within two weeks of admission. included a lack of a complete health assessment. Violation of the prison’s own guidelines.

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Requirements issued by medical review boards

After reviewing Blaney’s medical care before and during his cardiac arrest, the Medical Review Board issued the following requirements for prison doctors:

  • Quality assurance review to ensure that all admission physical examinations for new prison admissions are completed within the required time frame.
  • Quality assurance review with medical staff to ensure proper assessment and vital signs of individuals contacted with medical conditions are properly documented.
  • Quality assurance review of why the dizziness and fall events documented by Blaney along 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 ensure individuals are appropriately evaluated for potential cardiovascular disease.

Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Response

The report states that the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office and jail doctors responded to the findings, quality assurance meetings were conducted, and corrective actions were taken, including a review of medical staff and policies. Ta.

“Our quality assurance team convenes regularly to adapt/update procedures to account for new technology and medical advances,” Schrom said. “This ensures that we continually improve our processes to maintain the highest standards of care and safety.”

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