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| Prison Medical Contractor Sues Over Reports |
| By Birmingham News |
| Published: 08/05/2003 |
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Birmingham-based NaphCare Inc., the Alabama prison system's medical services contractor, filed a lawsuit July 28 against consultants whose audit reports said the company provides 'dangerous and extremely poor quality health care' to inmates. The suit in Walker County Circuit Court said defendants Jacqueline Moore and Associates of Chicago put out audit reports containing 'numerous inaccurate and unsubstantiated statements and conclusions' about NaphCare's medical services to inmates. 'These audits have damaged NaphCare's reputation and have damaged NaphCare financially,' the suit contended. Alabama Prison Commissioner Donal Campbell notified NaphCare on May 2 that he would cancel the state's $29.5 million-per-year medical services contract in 90 days, or about the first of August. Campbell gave no reason for canceling the contract, citing a provision of the contract that allows it to be canceled 'for convenience' on 90-days' notice. Moore and Associates audit reports released by Campbell in February cited 'dangerous and extremely poor quality health care' at Limestone Correctional Facility at Capshaw and serious deficiencies at several other prisons. One audit report said NaphCare violated various state and federal laws and regulations in its handling of drugs at St. Clair Correctional Facility. NaphCare's suit said Moore later admitted she didn't know if the practices cited in the audit were illegal because she didn't practice in Alabama and wasn't familiar with all of the regulations. 'NaphCare believes that it complies with state and federal laws,' company spokesman David Davis said last week. Drugs are kept in a safe in the office of the prison health service administrator, a NaphCare nurse who is the only one with access to it, Davis said. NaphCare's suit, which seeks a jury trial and damages, names as defendants two men Moore and Associates hired to conduct the medical services audits. The complaint alleges they were unqualified. Walker County resident Roger Childers, who teaches diabetes and infectious diseases at Bevill State Community College's nursing school, and Larry Mendel, a medical doctor from Columbus, Ohio, lacked the qualifications and knowledge to conduct a proper and accurate evaluation of NaphCare's performance, the suit stated. |
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