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Assessment of the Correctional System's Delivery of Medical Services

NCJ Number
165740
Date Published
1994
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of the Hillsborough County (Florida) detention system's delivery of medical services to inmates.
Abstract
The county contracts out the delivery of medical services to a private provider, currently ARA Health Services - Correctional Medical Services (CMS). One goal of this evaluation was to identify major sources of health-care expenditures documented in the current CMS and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Detention Department budgets. A second goal was to identify "hidden" medical costs of the Hillsborough County detention system that are not or cannot be documented. A third goal was to recommend ways of achieving greater cost efficiency in health care delivery; and the fourth goal was to promote quality health care within the current range of expenditures. The overall goal was to assist the county and the Sheriff's Office in achieving more precise measurements of how spending and treatment decisions affect both the jail and general population. The evaluation team visited the county detention system and observed medical procedures, met with correctional and medical personnel, and interviewed some inmates. Additionally, the team conducted an extensive review of available medical records. The assessment and recommendations focus on the intake and screening process, tuberculosis screening and treatment, sick calls, infirmary units, pharmacy service, hospital admissions and discharges, and continuity of care. The overall recommendation is that the Sheriff's Office develop a working relationship with all of the agencies of the community's public health system, so that the public health burden is proactively and creatively managed, and correctional medical costs are kept at a reasonable level over the long run. 6 tables

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