NCJ Number
58545
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH CARE FOR FEMALE INMATES IS DISCUSSED IN THE AREAS OF POLICYMAKING, SERVICE-DELIVERY PROCEDURES, PREGNANCY, AND HEALTH EDUCATION.
Abstract
IN ORDER THAT HEALTH CARE SERVICES MEET THE NEEDS OF INMATES WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF COST EFFECTIVENESS, IT IS NECESSARY THAT WRITTEN POLICIES BE DEVELOPED COOPERATIVELY AMONG THE MANAGERS OF THE SYSTEM, THE INSTITUTION, AND THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. SUCH POLICIES WOULD INCLUDE STATEMENTS AS TO THE KINDS OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED, BY WHOM, AND WHERE. WHILE THE PROCESSES OF HEALTH CARE POLICYMAKING ARE NOT DIFFERENT FOR MALE AND FEMALE INMATES, THEY NEED TO BE SEPARATE, PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL NEEDS OF WOMEN, BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE SEGREGATED NATURE OF THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM. HEALTH CARE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCEDURES ARE NOT FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT FOR MALE AND FEMALE INMATES; DIFFERENCES IN PROCEDURES MAY ARISE, HOWEVER, BECAUSE FACILITIES FOR WOMEN ARE USUALLY MUCH SMALLER THAN THOSE FOR MEN, AND THUS PROVIDE FOR MORE INFORMALITY OF COMMUNICATION. THE CONTROL OF MEDICATION AND THE AVAILABILITY OF A REGISTERED PHARMACIST ARE CENTRAL ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES. PROVISION MUST BE MADE FOR CARING FOR FEMALE INMATES THROUGH PREGNANCY, DELIVERY, AND THE POSTNATAL PERIOD. THE DECISIONS AS TO WHERE THE BABY WILL BE DELIVERED, WHETHER IT WILL BE CARED FOR AT THE INSTITUTION, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEALTH CARE OF THE BABY ARE ISSUES THAT MUST BE CONFRONTED. THE PROVISION OF BIRTH CONTROL INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND INMATES IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT RELATED POLICY ISSUE. SINCE WOMEN ARE THE PRIMARY NURTURERS OF CHILDREN, IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE INFORMED ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH. HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS SHOULD PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE INSTITUTIONS; NONMEDICAL PERSONS MAY DEVELOP, COORDINATE, OR TEACH SUCH SUBJECTS, HOWEVER. (RCB)