A 1979 GAO study found that to varying degrees prison and jail systems lacked information on the overall extent and type of health problems in inmate populations. Moreover, records of treatment actions and needs were often incomplete or disorganized, while pertinent information was not forwarded when inmates were transferred. Correctional administrators need such information to determine the level of care needed and the type and amount of resources required. From this analysis, they can design an effective, efficient health care delivery system. Officials frequently indicated they lacked the necessary funding to make improvements in their records systems; however, given the likelihood that correctional institutions will continue to be underfunded, it is critical that ways be found to improve the use of health care resources. According to the AMA, a patient's medical record should be sufficiently detailed to enable another practitioner to assume the care of the patient at any time.