HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: HOW DO YOU CHANGE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS? (FROM NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS - SECOND PROCEEDINGS, 1978 - SEE NCJ-58532)

• NCJ Number: 58535
• Author(s): M M ORIGER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: American Medical Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A RECENT HISTORY OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR MINNESOTA INMATES IS PRESENTED, WITH EMPHASIS ON REFORM EFFORTS IN THE EARLY 1970'S.

Abstract

IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES FROM CITIZENS' GROUPS, LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE OMBUDSMAN FOR CORRECTIONS, AND AN INMATE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT REGARDING INFERIOR MEDICAL CARE FOR MINNESOTA INMATES, A TEAM COMPOSED OF A PHYSICIAN, NURSE, PHARMACIST, AND SYSTEMS ANALYST VISITED ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INSTITUTIONS IN MINNESOTA TO EVALUATE THE MEDICAL SERVICES. A HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR CONSULTANT WAS HIRED, AND OTHER OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS WERE BROUGHT IN FOR ADDITIONAL EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE. FROM THIS EVALUATION, A PROPOSAL WAS TAKEN TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD MAKE INMATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES EQUAL TO COMMUNITY STANDARDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED A REQUEST FOR $1.5 MILLION TO BUILD A HOSPITAL UNIT AT A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, PROVIDE A CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN FOR MINNESOTA STATE PRISON, HIRE A CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON HOSPITAL, HIRE A HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR ON A DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL, AND PROVIDE THE HOSPITAL UNIT WITH 13 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS. A GENERAL SURGICAL CIRCLE OF A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL WAS RENOVATED TO BECOME THE CORRECTIONS HOSPITAL UNIT. A SECURITY-MEDICAL CARE COMMITTEE WAS ORGANIZED TO SUPERVISE THE OPERATION OF THE UNIT. IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE UNIT IS THE NURSE COORDINATOR, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; SHE IS THE COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. CHANGES IN THE INSTITUTIONS HAVE INCLUDED THE FORMATION OF A SYSTEMATIC PLAN OF MEDICAL CARE FOR INMATES. THE PATIENT IS INITIALLY SEEN BY THE INSTITUTION PHYSICIAN; USING SUPPORTIVE LABORATORY AND RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS, A DIAGNOSIS IS MADE; IF THE PROBLEM NEEDS FURTHER EVALUATION, THE CLIENT IS SENT TO THE OUTSIDE INSTITUTION. CONTINUED FOLLOWUP IN THE OUTPATIENT CLINICS OR ADMISSION TO THE SECURITY UNIT IS SUGGESTED. THE PATIENT IS MONITORED BOTH AT THE SENDING INSTITUTION AND THE OUTSIDE FACILITY UNTIL HE IS EITHER DISCHARGED BY THE SPECIALIST OR PAROLED BY THE INSTITUTION. MINNESOTA INMATES NOW RECEIVE A QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE EQUAL TO THAT OF THE COMMUNITY.