A Thurston County Jail inmate is in critical condition after jail medical staff misdiagnosed her symptoms as narcotics withdrawal.
The inmate, a 29-year-old Olympia woman, was booked into the Thurston County Jail on an outstanding warrant on Aug. 10, according to a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Following her booking, she was evaluated by medical staff, who initially attributed her symptoms to narcotics withdrawal, according to the sheriff’s office.
Over the following days, the woman's condition deteriorated, and on the evening of Aug. 13, she was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
She was subsequently transferred to another medical facility to receive a higher level of care, and was still in critical condition as of Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to the sheriff’s office.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office released information about the incident on Aug. 19, disclosing that it has asked the Mason County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s care and medical emergency.
“Protecting the health and well-being of those in our custody is a paramount duty of all corrections staff. We take this incident seriously and are committed to ensuring the circumstances surrounding it are thoroughly and independently reviewed,” the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office stated, adding that it intends to “fully cooperate with the Mason County Sheriff's Office in this investigation.”
The Thurston County Jail’s contracted medical provider has already terminated the employment of a nurse who was involved in the inmate’s care, according to the sheriff’s office.
No additional information will be released at this time, the sheriff’s office stated.
