10 Weeks ago, my ex broke his finger playing basketball...

it STILL has not healed...there's swelling in the lowest knuckle of his left ring finger and it's gone down, but not gone. It WAS the size of about 3 of my fingers put together (I'm a size 5 ring finger) but now it's about 1 1/2. I'm worried because when i asked a doctor friend of mine about it he said there's two reasons why it could still be like that.

1) The finger did not heal properly and the bone did not set. Liquid is settling possibly due to torn tendons.

2) the finger/bone got infected and could cause need for an amputation.

now...that said, I spoke to the visiting LT on my way out who has ALWAYS been helpful beyond words with me. He scolded me for not coming around but when he was done, he told me that the doctor of the prison is a complete ass and would not help me at all, but his secretary would. So I'm supposed to call her.

My ex told me that he has an appointment on the 23rd with the doctor again. The last time he went he was given a splint (for the fourth time) and all that does is cut off circulation in his finger and causing the tip to go numb. He's sick of the splints. He asked what else could be done and they told him "well, we could shackle you, put you in the back of a van and take you to a street hospital and do surgery, but we won't unless it's totally necessary".

Does anyone else see that it IS necessary at this point? Am I the only one who gives a crap about anyone's health anymore?

I just about LOST it when he told me that they won't even give him anything but aspirin to kill the pain (I have only broken a rib, and I can tell you that was the worst pain I have ever felt...but I broke the rib when I had bronchitis...so it hurt worse than it should have coughing all the time). They brush off his requests to see a street doctor every time he asks and they throw this "street hospital" thing at him just to shut him up until the next doctors appt where they give him another splint and tell him to go away.

After talking to the SGT, I thought about this.

What if I get MY doctor to call the prison with me on the line and tell them he wants copies of the x-rays AND copies of all the medical documentation. Would they give that to him? Could he threaten to sue the prison system if the proper medical care wasn't given? Would it make a difference if it was me or a doctor asking these questions?

I just want him (and everyone else in prison) to be given EQUAL medical care.

Here's a scary thought...the prison has 2 (yes two) fully functioning emergency rooms and 2 fully functioning SURGERY rooms, yet they provide NO surgery OR emergency services on the grounds. I asked if this was due to liability. I was told "no, it's just that the doctors here are really just LVN's with Badges".

WHAT!? You have LVN's saying they're doctors? WHAT!?

UGH! I'm mad and I want to do something to change the system.

If any of you can find out WHO the doctors are at your loved ones prisons and find out if they are DOCTORS or LVN's...PLEASE tell me...

I'm very interested about this...it doesn't seem right to have LVN's giving doctors orders. They don't do it on the streets...why should it be different in the prsions?

Man, Soul ... this is sick!!! On the outside if one was caught impersonating a Dr. they would be sent to prison themselves, but just because they are working for the prison, they can do as they damn well please ... Oh, this makes me so angry!!!

I don't know Soul, but when my son had to have surgery on his hand they took him to a reg. outside hosp.and also when another friend of mine was sick they took him to a outside hosp.also. It was Riverside County Hosp. I was told there are no real doctors at the prisons that they were both in.

I know that in Michigan they have people with MAs calling themselves Psychologists and the inmates call them Doctor so and so....blew my mind when I saw their credentials on paper.....asses.

Deb

I doubt if the prison medical people would give your doctor any info. siting "patient" confidentiality! The long route if for him to sign a release of confidentiality form allowing you [and others, if he chooses] to have access to his medical records. He can also request these records but b/c they probably charge an arm and a leg [or, at least one finger...lol] for the cost of copying, he should be specific as to what medical record documents are to be released [i.e., xrays, progress notes, order sheet related to finger injury].

I am a RN in PA and NJ and I have never heard of an LVN--what does it stand for?

BTW, several court cases have upheld that prisoners have the right to adequate, reasonable and accessible health care. If you want to dig you could probably find the CA codes that regulate health care, including staff credentialing.

Soul, I think the nurses are probably nurse practicioners. They have them at the emergency room where I go and at the company medical. I do not agree with them either. They have such a complex and are hard to deal with. I have had to have my rheumatologist set them straight on more than one occasion.

Under state law, if it still applies to prisoners, he is entitled to a copy of his doctors (nurse practicioners) notes. He can then send them to you, or you can mail him a copy of a doctors release to mail back to your doctor. Then, your doctor can maybe consult on the case. I have absolutely no idea how the laws apply to those in prison, but please keep us updated. I would love to know how this works out.

Please tell your ex that we are praying for him and to keep his head up.

I apologize for not reading the notes above me before posting. LVN is a licensed vocational nurse. Some states call them a LPN or licensed practicing nurse.

Just one more idea, Soul, do you think that he would like for several of us to write in and complain. Find out. Maybe if they know there are people who care it will help, but maybe it will hurt.

Soul, In order to get his medical records, you need to get a Medical Power of Attorney. You can find one on the internet, just type it in your search engine. Get it to him & get him to get it notorized asap and then you personally can get his records and have a real doc look at them. I hope this helps!!
diane

Soul, what ever you want us to do, let us know

I called and left a message...I'm calling Sacramento as we speak to gripe about it to the state prison board...we'll see what happens.

I'm really sorry to hear what happened, I dont know what state you are in, I believe west coast b/c you said a LVN. Anyway I am a nurse in a correctional facility. It depends on what type of medical system they have there. Some are funded, county,state federal, some are contracted agencys. Some prisons in Illinois have 24 hour doctors and others only have doctors once or twice a week. The nurses practically do run the medical department and call the doctor for orders. Which is no different than nurses in a nursing home with no doctor supervision. Nurses in the correctional field are trained and experienced but still have to follow doctors orders, any nurse who thinks otherwise is wrong. Since the LT said the doctor is a complete ass, I believe the first place to start is getting rid of the medical department !!!Obviously the doctor is more concerned with saving a buck,

I'm really sorry to hear what happened, I dont know what state you are in, I believe west coast b/c you said a LVN. Anyway I am a nurse in a correctional facility. It depends on what type of medical system they have there. Some are funded, county,state federal, some are contracted agencys. Some prisons in Illinois have 24 hour doctors and others only have doctors once or twice a week. The nurses practically do run the medical department and call the doctor for orders. Which is no different than nurses in a nursing home with no doctor supervision. Nurses in the correctional field are trained and experienced but still have to follow doctors orders, any nurse who thinks otherwise is wrong. Since the LT said the doctor is a complete ass, I believe the first place to start is getting rid of the medical department !!!Obviously the doctor is more concerned with saving a buck, please let me know I would like to help...

nurse4cons ... I believe that soul has taken a temporary leave ...

Yes,Cheenna is right, Soul took a break.It was nice of you to offer help!

Soul,

That is crazy. Our system sucks. guess we all know that part. my hubby is in colorado and i know that he has told me the 'doctors' are actually physicians assistants. YIKES! He needs meds daily and they are witholding. they say he didn't order soon enough and that his meds aren't formulary. they aren't formulary, the only true part, but he ordered his meds 1 1/2 wks in advance, as he was told to do. He's still not getting them grrrrr it angers me also, he needs meds or he could die. I don't wanna sue the damn system, i just want my man to do his time and come on home. Good luck.