ER visit

  After being in prison only a week I got pneumonia, possibly from all the missed days of meds from county jail onward. When health issues can’t be handled in the prison health unit you are then taken to a hospital.  I was taken in shackles to a regular hospital with several inmates that also needed to go that day. This particular hospital had a prison entrance, but regular hospital nurses saw us. On the day I went to the ER, the four of us inmates were sat down on chairs next to each other and triaged openly in front of every body. That meant a review of medical history, chronic issues, medications and current issues. I quickly recognized what was happening, so I reached over with my finger and pointed to “HIV/AIDS” and said, “I have had chronic issues for 20 years” and again made eye contact. She got the hint and never said the words. You have to make your confidentiality requirements known.  Be smart and quick on your feet. Never assume they will protect your privacy.