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| Tarrant Co. gets scathing review of jail medical care |
| By Dallas Morning News |
| Published: 01/10/2005 |
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Inmates in Tarrant County, Texas, jails often wait weeks for medical care and sometimes have to file grievances to see a doctor more quickly, according to a report from the American Jail Association. The study, commissioned by the county and released to the public Thursday, showed that inmates weren't receiving medication or seeing physicians promptly. It also said that county jails need more and higher-qualified health care providers, as well as a more-streamlined health care system. Officials with the county and JPS Health Network, which has provided medical care for the jails since 1991, said that many problems cited in the study have been or are being solved. "We are well on our way to meeting the level of service recommended by the American Jail Association consultants," said G.K. Maenius, county administrator. Sheriff Dee Anderson, who described jail health care as a crisis, said a comprehensive review and overhaul of the system has been needed for years. He added that officials plan to use this study as a blueprint to fix problems at the county's four jails. "It paints a picture of some very serious issues that we have talked about now for many months," he said. "It paints a picture of problems that are in desperate need of attention." The Tarrant report comes about a week after lawyers for three mentally ill former Dallas County inmates, one of whom died in jail, filed lawsuits alleging abuse. A Sheriff's Department investigation found that one of the former inmates, James Monroe Mims, wasn't given medicine for two months. According to the study, which was based on visits to Tarrant jails in early and late October, the health care services "appear to be provided in a reactive manner in response to each crisis, a response method that, left unchecked, may result in serious patient outcomes." Sheriff Anderson said he couldn't name any specific incidents in which an inmate was seriously harmed by lack of medical care. The report showed a chaotic medical system in need of major changes. Among the problems: Inmates wait an average of six weeks before receiving requested medical care. Inmates have long waits for serious testing. During one visit last year, consultants found 50 patients waiting for EKGs weeks after they had been ordered. Medical records do not follow patients when they are transferred to another Tarrant County jail, and it takes three to five days for patients to receive prescription medication. Diabetics are at risk of lapsing into a coma if they don't have insulin available. Infectious patients can spread diseases widely if they aren't given antibiotics immediately. And HIV-positive inmates can develop resistance to their medication if they miss even one antiviral treatment. The study included 25 major recommendations, including hiring additional employees, creating a jail unit at JPS Hospital, and repairing or replacing antiquated equipment. Government officials said they weren't sure how much it would cost to implement all the changes. JPS officials said they are addressing every problem listed. |
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This article exposed what it is like to exist in today’s correctional institutions. I enjoy reading articles like this one and articles from author Hamilton Lindley who is an expert at persuasion, influence and leadership from his Waco, Texas base. There are a lot of important lessons to be learned here for sure. Thank you for the insight.