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| N.Y. Inmate Died at County Jail Due to Staff's Error |
| By Troy Record |
| Published: 04/07/2003 |
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The state Commission of Correction officially issued its findings regarding the death of a Rensselaer County Jail inmate who was suffering from alcohol withdrawal last summer. In the nine-page document the COC found that 46-year-old Raymond Valigorsky, died from untreated acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome with delirium tremens on July 23, 2002, while jailed on charges of disorderly conduct and violation of an open container law. A toxicology report stated that Valigorsky, who had been jailed nine pervious times for similar offenses, was given Ditropan and Librium by the facility's nursing staff from July 19-22, which contributed to the death. The COC alleged that then- jail physician Dr. Morteza Naghibi, a part-time county employee who at the time of the investigation was paid $42,000 a year for visiting the jail for about two hours on Tuesdays, ordered the nursing staff to administer Ditropan to inmates for acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The nursing staff, which was then contracted out by ADEPT Health Care, allegedly told the COC that they gave the Ditropan to Valigorsky knowing it was not safe or effective, but because they were under direct orders from Naghibi. Apparently a total of 12 doses of Ditropan were delivered by five different nurses. The COC alleged that none of the nurses documented any monitoring or assessment of Valigorsky's symptoms of withdrawal, which is a violation of standards of nursing practice and patients' rights. As a result, the COC suggested that the county should fire Naghibi, and that an investigation be launched into ADEPT's contractor for assigning nurses to the jail who do not have the experience and knowledge required to properly carry out their duties. After receiving a preliminary report in late January, Sheriff Daniel V. Keating said that the county took the COC's suggestions and terminated its contract with the ADEPT Health Care Agency and reworked its nursing system. Keating said the jail is now staffed by Intellistaff Nursing Services, and that its physician is provided on a rotating basis by Community Care Physicians, since Naghibi stepped down shortly after Valigorsky's death. 'There has been a tremendous change in the medical care at the jail,' Keating said. 'As sheriff I really didn't challenge (the old staff's) professional skills. They were licensed by the state of New York and I assumed they were capable of doing their jobs. 'We have closed up any gaps that may have been present and made sure that the proper policies and procedures are in effect.' Troy Attorney Charles Wilcox filed a notice of claim on behalf of the Valigorsky family in October, and said that after reading the COC's findings on Wednesday, a lawsuit against all or any of those involved would appear imminent. 'The report was overwhelming and devastating,' Wilcox said. 'I still need to review everything but I would say that a law suit is close.' |
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