Sixty-nine standards, grouped under nine general areas, are included in this manual. The general areas are governance and administration (11 standards); managing a safe and healthy environment (5 standards); personnel and training (9 standards); health care services support (4 standards); inmate care and treatment (14 standards); health promotion and disease prevention (5 standards); special needs and services (9 standards); health records (6 standards); and medical-legal issues (6 standards). The standards are classified as either "essential" or "important," representing categories used in the National Commission on Correctional Health Care's accreditation program. Generally, "essential" standards are more directly related to the health, safety, and welfare of prison inmates and the critical components of a health care system (e.g., policies and procedures, quality assurance, and training programs). "Important" standards represent recognized, acceptable practices for health care providers. Each standard is accompanied by a discussion section that elaborates on the intent of the standard, provides alternative approaches for achieving compliance, or defines key terms included in the standard. Appended sample forms, suggested guidelines for certain activities in correctional health care, and information about accreditation, including application materials, along with a glossary and a subject index