Report: Nurse "completely misinterpreted and minimized the significance of pain and vomiting."
Chuniece Patterson died Nov. 12 after suffering an ectopic pregnancy at the county justice center.A nurse at the Justice Center jail in Syracuse acted with “gross negligence and incompetence” in connection with an inmate’s death in November, the state corrections commissioner has ruled.
A report obtained by The Post-Standard through the Freedom of Information Law recommends that the state Office of Professional Discipline investigate the conduct of the registered nurse who cared for inmate Chuniece Patterson. The report identifies the nurse only by her initials, but jail medical records show her name is Missy Clayton.
The corrections department report says the nurse "completely misinterpreted and minimized the significance of pain and vomiting" in Patterson, who died Nov. 12 after suffering an ectopic pregnancy.
Clayton works for the county health department. Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow said she could not comment on specifics of the case, but said the department has conducted training sessions for nurses about pregnancy since Patterson died.
The report also faults an Onondaga County sheriff's deputy for "failing to recognize Patterson was in need of medical attention." The deputy is identified in jail documents as Diane Stech.
» Read the corrections department report on Chuniece Patterson's death
» Previous coverage: Pregnant inmate died after hours of agony in Syracuse jail
