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MCINTOSH COUNTY JAIL DOES IT AGAIN
June 10, 2009
James T. Kimball, awaiting at least one surgery, maybe two (as Kimball has a 5.5 centimeter aortic aneurysm plus serious gallbladder stones which are causing one of this kidneys increasingly severe damage), had a second low blood pressure attack on wednesday June 10, 2009. His blood pressure that day read 86/62 and Kimball was feeling very weak.
A number of guards assisted Kimball that day and thereafter in moving him to different areas within the jail - helping him with his medication and taking his blood pressure.
Special thanks to Officer Turner who went out of his way to assist Kimball while other officers such as Officer Rowe, Ms. Lane, and others presently unknown, also assisted in different ways.
The medical staff at the jail leaves a lot to be desired, but the guards fully make up the difference and more. They consistently watch over the sick and older inmates asking how they feel, etc. Even the kitchen supervisor (Ms. Wiley) helps out when she can.
The jail doctor and nurse are a whole different story. The jail doctor (Dr. Gunderson), who nearly cost Kimball his life, is an arrogant individual and Kimball was advised that Dr. Gunderson is in charge of the emergency room at the hospital in Brunswick. It's no wonder that everyone Kimball spoke to about Brunswick Hospital said, "Don't go there" "It's a band-aid station" "You're better off taking your chances driving to Jacksonville [in Florida] or Savanna hospitals" - both over an hour drive north & south.
One thing Kimball knows as a fact - he asked Dr. Gunderson in writing twice to supply him with vitamins to circumvent the listless side-effects of his blood pressure medications lisinopril & hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). As of what Dr. Gunderson hasn't supplied Kimball with vitamins. Dr. Gunderson also hasn't yet answered Kimball's request to continue to give out vitamin C and multivitamins to older prisoners (at the very least). Dr. Gunderson hasn't yet restocked any vitamins or supplements since medical ran out. We are hoping this news update will show the doctor how vital a few minutes of time could be, and it would take just that to re-supply essential vitamins.
The jail nurse, Jackie Altman, is supposed to hand out medication and prepare it for guards to hand out when she is not there (which seems to be an excessive amount of time, perhaps because no other nurse staffs medical during her absence). Because she is either distracted or cannot complete her job alone in her given timeframe, she forgets medicines and prepares the wrong amount from time to time. Kimball's medication has been forgotten at least twice while he has been at Mcintosh, and medical attempted to give Kimball the wrong mediation once along with too much medication twice. We cannot emphasize how important it is for anyone at any facility to know exactly how much and what kind of medication they are taking at all times. It is possible that Altman had to rush through preparing medicines and did not receive complaints from more complacent individuals, and was ultimately unaware of her errors. We believe, overtime, she simply forgot the extreme importance of double-checking the medication she prepares.
As was stated before, the management and guards at the jail definitely make up for any lack of medical care (unintentional or otherwise). As long as each prisoner knows what medication they are taking, they'd be fine with such a great staff. Not to say anyone needs to go to Mcintosh jail to find out what a good jail staff they have there.
OH! By the way, a promotion for Ms. Watson! - whoever gave her the promotion replacing Ms. Pierce most assuredly did the right thing. Ms. Watson did for Kimball in one day more than her protégé (Ms. Pierce) could accomplish in her 30 days. We commend and support Ms. Watson.
That's the latest news from Mcintosh Jail for now. These news updates are, of course, bound to continue as long as Kimball remains in custody.
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