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AMA (AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION) - STANDARDS FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES IN JAILS

NCJ Number
48080
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
23 pages
Annotation
STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL CARE DELIVERY TO JAIL INMATES WHICH REFLECT THE DEFINITION OF 'ADEQUATE' MEDICAL CARE REQUIRED BY THE COURTS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THOSE STANDARDS FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES IN JAILS ARE INTENDED TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR ADVISING PHYSICIANS, JAIL AUTHORITIES, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ABOUT THE SERVICES AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES TO INMATES. THE STANDARDS OUTLINE THE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES TO BE MEASURED FOR COMPLIANCE. ALL ITEMS SPECIFIED IN A STANDARD MUST BE IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER FOR COMPLIANCE TO BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE. THE DISCUSSION FOLLOWING EACH STANDARD SETS THE TONE OF THE STANDARD AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, PROVIDES DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION TO GUIDE THE OFFICIAL LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JAIL, THE PHYSICIAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JAIL'S MEDICAL CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM, AND THE MEDICAL SOCIETY IN INTERPRETING THE STANDARD. STANDARDS ARE IDENTIFIED AS EITHER 'ESSENTIAL' OR 'IMPORTANT.' A JAIL MUST COMPLY FULLY WITH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF 90 PERCENT OF THE 'ESSENTIAL' AND 80 PERCENT OF THE 'IMPORTANT' STANDARDS IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED FULL ACCREDITATION. JAILS WHICH COMPLY FULLY WITH AT LEAST 75 PERCENT OF THE 'ESSENTIAL' STANDARDS AND 66 PERCENT OF THE 'IMPORTANT' STANDARDS MAY BE GRANTED PROVISIONAL ACCREDITATION, WHICH CANNOT BE RENEWED.