HEALTH OF THE JAIL MEDICINE SYSTEM - DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS DEFERRED

• NCJ Number: 41231
• Author(s): M P NIDETZ
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE HEALTH IN CORRECTIONS CONSULTATION, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, DECEMBER 11, 1975

Annotation

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IS THE DETERMINATION OF WHICH CONDITIONS A PATIENT IS SUFFERING FROM BY COMPARING AND CONTRASTING SYMPTOMS.

Abstract

THE SYMPTOMS UNDER DISCUSSION ARE THOSE THAT RESULT FROM THE LACK OR EVASION OF CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS OF WHICH EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE IS A MAJOR COMPONENT. THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES THE FINDINGS OF A 1972 AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SURVEY OF THE NATION'S JAILS. TABULAR AND NARRATIVE DATA INDICATE THAT 66 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDING JAILS HAD ONLY FIRST AID FACLITIES, MOST RELYING ON COMMUNITY MEDICAL FACILITIES TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THEIR INMATE POPULATIONS. IN ONLY 38 PERCENT OF THE JAILS WERE PHYSICIANS AVAILABLE ON A REGULARLY SCHEDULED BASIS, AND ONLY IN 51 PERCENT WERE THEY AVAILABLE ON AN ON-CALL BASIS. PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS WERE PROVIDED PRIMARILY TO INMATES WITH A MEDICAL COMPLAINT AND, IN 82 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDING JAILS, MEDICATIONS WERE DISPENSED BY NON-MEDICAL PERSONNEL. SANITARY INSPECTIONS WERE MADE IN JAILS ON A REGULAR BASIS IN 87 PERCENT OF THE CASES....ELW