NCJ Number
58584
Date Published
1979
Length
43 pages
Annotation
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA) STANDARDS FOR THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, AND DENTAL SERVICES TO JAIL INMATES ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
DEVELOPED BY THE AMA UNDER AN LEAA GRANT AND WITH THE COOPERATION OF LOCAL SHERIFFS, JAIL ADMINISTRATORS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, THE STANDARDS ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF JAIL HEALTH CARE: ADMINISTRATION, PERSONNEL, MEDICOLEGAL ISSUES, HEALTH RECORDS, PHARMACEUTICALS, AND CARE AND TREATMENT. DISCUSSIONS ACCOMPANYING THE STANDARDS ELABORATE ON THEIR CONCEPTUAL BASES AND IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO COMPLIANCE. AN EARLIER EDITION OF THE STANDARDS WAS USED BY THE AMA IN THE ACCREDITATION OF 35 JAIL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS. THE CURRENT EDITION INCLUDES DETAILED ATTENTION TO SERVICES FOR CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT INMATES AND MENTALLY ILL INMATES, PROVIDING THE OUTLINES OF A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR DETECTING, TREATING, AND REFERRING JAIL INMATES WITH ALCOHOL, DRUG, OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. THE STANDARDS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY FACILITY ADMINISTRATORS AND CLINICIANS IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO INMATES, BY ADMINISTRATORS IN PROGRAM PLANNING AND BUDGETING, AND BY CLINICIANS IN SETTING PRIORITIES, ALLOCATING RESOURCES, AND TRAINING STAFF. THE AMA HAS FOUND THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STANDARDS RESULTS IN GREATER EFFICIENCY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS IN HEALTH CARE DELIVERY, AND IN BETTER HEALTH PROTECTION FOR INMATES, STAFF, AND THE COMMUNITY.