NCJ Number
52344
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE JAIL STAFF HAS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE COOPERATIVE EFFORT OF ASSURING PRISONERS ACCESS TO ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE.
Abstract
THE PRACTICAL AND EFFICIENT USE OF A JAIL HEALTH SYSTEM IS DEPENDENT UPON COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SECURITY STAFF AND HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL, WITH PROPER COORDINATION BY ADMINISTRATORS. THE LACK OF EASY ACCESS TO HEALTH FACILITIES BY PRISONERS PLACES RESPONSIBILITY UPON THE STAFF TO BE AWARE OF THE NORMAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS OF INMATES. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OUGHT NOT TO BE RELIED UPON COMPLETELY TO HANDLE THE ENTIRE BURDEN OF RECOGNIZING AND TREATING PRISONERS' HEALTH NEEDS, ALTHOUGH ONLY TRAINED PERSONNEL SHOULD MAKE THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF THOSE NEEDS AND AUTHORIZE THE SPECIFIC TREATMENT. THE PHYSICIAN, WHETHER A MEDICAL DOCTOR OR OSTEOPATH, IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO MAY PRACTICE MEDICINE LEGALLY, BUT HE OR SHE MAY DELEGATE SEVERAL HEALTH FUNCTIONS TO OTHER PERSONS. TO FACILITATE DELEGATION OF HEALTH FUNCTIONS, GUIDELINES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED FOR THE SHARING OF INFORMATION BETWEEN JAIL ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPERVISING PHYSICIANS. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD BE ARTICULATED TO NURSING AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TO DELINEATE THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY, PARTICULARLY THE AREAS CONCERNING THE SCREENING FOR DISEASE AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION. THE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR JAIL HEALTH PERSONNEL SHOULD BE IN ACCORD WITH STATE STATUTES AND REGULATIONS BY WHICH SUCH PERSONNEL ARE LICENSED AND DIRECTED. THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF PRISONERS' HEALTH CARE IS DISCUSSED WITH EMPHASIS ON THE ASSURANCE OF QUALIFIED HEALTH PERSONNEL AND EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES. THE UNIQUE SITUATION IN EACH FACILITY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING THAT FACILITY'S NEEDS FOR SECURITY AND HEALTH CARE.