NCJ Number
91163
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Following an overview of the organization of Canada's correctional system, with particular attention to the structure for inmate health care delivery, this paper describes the processes and implementation modes used to upgrade the quantity and quality of such services.
Abstract
The Inspector General of Corrections has been appointed to act as an objective overseer of corrections services to ensure that policy development and implementation match service needs. In 1978, the Medical Advisory Committee was established to monitor the professionalization of corrections health care delivery through onsite visits and consultation services. Another means of monitoring the professionalism of health care services has been peer apraisals. One of the most significant quality assurance undertakings of the past 5 years has been the standardization of practice. This has included the standardization of all position descriptions for fulltime personnel. From the beginning of the professionalization process, continuing education has been emphasized. All health care officers, whether or not they are registered nurses, are expected to have at least 20 hours of inservice or outservice continuing education each year. The major unachieved task is the adoption of a realistic standardized health care record. A pilot project is underway to streamline the manual recording system in health care centers in one region. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Medical and Health Care Services Branch has begun; it will focus on all aspects of health care. Further, the Canadian correctional institutions are in the process of complying with the conventional health care delivery system standards enunciated by the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation.