‘On the verge of death’ : Inmate’s diabetes out of control during lock-up
Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008
Locked in the Benton County Jail, Aaron Hannah knew his diabetes was out of control because the three-timesa-day bloodsugar checks proved it - but he couldn't get the jail staff to do anything about it.
It's absolutely terrible," Public Defender Jay Saxton said. "I can't understand how any medical person - doctor or nurse - could review our client's blood readings and not take any action. It boggles the mind."
Hannah received medical treatment after Circuit Judge Tom Keith ordered jailers to take the 24-yearold man to a specific doctor. The doctor immediately hospitalized the man.
Hannah spent three days in the hospital.
"It's shocking," said Saxton, who is also diabetic. "Ask any diabetic. He was on the verge of death."
The Web site Web MD advises that if a person's blood sugar is above 240 it is too high, and if the bloodsugar level stays over 300 after being checked two times in a row, then the person needs to consult his or her doctor.
Hannah's blood-sugar level was checked three times each day - at 5: 30 a. m., 10: 30 a.m. and 3: 30 p.m.
The logs show that Hannah's blood-sugar level between Feb. 15 and March 6 tested twice in the normal range at 92 and 120. One of the normal readings was on Feb. 18, and the other was on Feb. 28.
At 3: 38 p.m. Feb. 16, Hannah's blood-sugar level was 542, and his next two tests were 481 and 325.
Hannah's blood sugar tested in the 500 s and 400 s several times.
His level was listed as unknown for one test.
"It was so high that his meter didn't register it," Saxton said.
The lowest level was 52 at 11: 30 p.m. Feb. 18.
Hannah's attorney - Public Defender Brynna Barnica - filed a motion claiming her client was not receiving proper medical care for his diabetes.
Hannah told Barnica that his health was deteriorating because the jail could not properly maintain his bloodsugar levels. Barnica obtained Hannah's medical records. Once she saw them, she believed her client was in dire need of proper medical attention.
She then sought court intervention in order to get Hannah medical attention.
Saxton and Barnica believe Hannah's blood sugar wasn't properly managed while he was in the jail.
Jail Capt. Hunter Petray said he could not discuss Hannah's medical issue.
Petray said he believes Hannah received the proper medical care while jailed. Petray said the jail doctor is at the jail three times each week, and there are two nurse positions at the jail, one for days and the other for evenings. Petray said the doctor and nurses are on call should anything arise when they are not at the jail.
On March 7, Circuit Judge Tom Keith held an emergency hearing on the issue of Hannah's medical care.
Keith ordered that Hannah be taken to Lowell endocrinologist Dr. Adam Maass, who admitted Hannah into St. Mary's Hospital (now Mercy Medical Center ) in Rogers. The judge's order also contained instructions for the jail to both monitor Hannah's blood sugar and feed Hannah a diet according to Maass' recommendations.
Hannah was transferred March 10 to the Arkansas Department of Correction. Petray said Hannah's name was on the list, and the transfer was not related to Hannah's medical issues.
Hannah was arrested on Oct. 20, 2007. He was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a pursuit with Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies.
A deputy shot Felipe Esparza as he attempted to ram patrol cars. Hannah escaped on foot. He was found at his Rogers residence and was charged with misdemeanor fleeing, theft and a parole violation. His parole was later revoked.
In a letter he wrote to Keith, Hannah said he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 15.
According to information from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, diabetes means a person's blood glucose (often called blood sugar ) is too high. Blood always has some glucose in it because the body needs glucose for energy, but too much glucose in the blood isn't good for a person's health.
The normal range for blood glucose is from 70 to 120 for people who don't have diabetes, according to information from the clearinghouse.
On Feb. 23, Hannah asked to see a doctor because he began seeing blood when he urinated. Hannah may have seen the jail doctor, but the records obtained by The Daily Record did not reflect a visit to the jail doctor.
Hannah was taking his medication, but his blood sugar remained out of control.
Saxton believes it is possible that Hannah suffered lasting harmful effects to his kidneys, liver and other organs - from what Saxton described as a lack of care in the jail.
Dr. Maass thought it was bad enough to admit Hannah to the hospital to get his blood sugar back under control, Saxton said.
Saxton said he's heard complaints from other diabetic inmates and questions whether the jail can properly care for diabetics.
Saxton said he understands that Hannah was in jail, but Hannah should have been allowed to test his blood more than three times a day. Hannah understands how to manage his diabetes better than anyone, Saxton said.
Petray said the jail is capable of taking proper care of diabetic inmates and does so.
"A lot of people come here and they are not in the best shape," Petray said," and we try to make the best of the situation."
Hannah sent Barnica a letter that said he is feeling better but is apprehensive about returning to jail for his next court appearance.
"He's doing good and is at least comfortable now," Barnica said.
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