NCJ Number
220907
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 69 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2007 Pages: 36-38,40
Date Published
October 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper describes Broward County's (Florida) cost-effective methods for managing contagious diseases in its jail system.
Abstract
In 2003, Sheriff Ken Jenne directed his jail administration to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to managing contagious diseases among jail inmates. Subsequently, the sheriff's office entered into partnership with the Broward County Health Department and the State Health Department in developing an approach that complied with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) recommendations for all correctional institutions, including jails. CDC recommends that all adults entering the jail should be medically evaluated, and those determined to be high risk should be vaccinated for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B and tested for hepatitis C. If positive for the latter disease, further testing should be done, and treatment would be at the discretion of the health care provider. The CDC also recommends that jails develop and maintain a database for tracking all vaccination-related data. After a discussion about funding and staff to administer the program, the Health Department offered to cover vaccination and lab costs for most of the initiatives if the health care provider agreed to draw blood for testing and administer the vaccine. Gaps between the two health agencies were addressed by the jail administration. Money from the inmate welfare fund was offered as a short-term solution for funding while grant funding sources were explored. A description of program specifics focuses on the Reducing AIDs Prevalence in Detention (RAPID) HIV testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis A and B vaccinations, MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureas) screening and treatment, tuberculosis testing, and flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Health education efforts are also described, along with future plans for jail inmate health care in Broward County.