Technical Capability Assessment of Correctional Health Care Data Management Information Systems and Overall Readiness to Participate in the Development of a Disease Reporting System, Final Report

• NCJ Number: 215095
• Author(s): Giulia diStefano Norton MPH; Ted Hammett Ph.D.
• Date Published: June 2006
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): OJP-99-C-008
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Survey; Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

This report presents findings from an assessment of the health care management information systems and disease surveillance and reporting procedures used by State/Federal prison systems and large city/county jail systems.

Abstract

The study found that virtually all responding correctional systems conducted at least some testing for all of the diseases of interest: HIV, TB, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and hepatitis; therefore, all systems had at least some test results to record internally and report to appropriate health agencies. Some variations were found in methods of reporting by type of system. State/Federal prison systems tended to rely on laboratories, and individual correctional facilities reported cases directly to State health departments, with 26 percent having health services contractors and 21-23 percent of city or county health agencies reporting to the State. Many facilities had more than one reporting entity responsible for each disease, which suggests some potential for the duplicate reporting of cases. Overall, readiness for participation in national disease reporting was determined to be at only moderate levels in correctional systems. Only 39 percent of city/county systems and 32 percent of State/Federal systems reported they had automated medical records systems. Including the systems that indicated they were planning to implement such automated records in the next 12 months, the city/county systems with existing or planned automated medical records increased to 61 percent compared with 47 percent of State/Federal systems. The final sample included the Federal Bureau of Prisons and 46 State departments of correction. Seven recommendations are offered for improving disease reporting systems and upgrading capabilities for participation in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System. The survey extended over the spring and summer of 2005, with information and data requested from respondents for June 2003-June 2004. 2 exhibits and appended tables