Streamlined Jail Intake Health Screening

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Maricopa County Jail system, fifth largest in the country, books approximately 100,000 individuals each year with 250-300 people passing through the 4th Avenue Intake Center each day. People entering jail often have serious medical and/or mental health needs which must be identified and treated within 24 to 36 hours, a task rendered more difficult by mandatory transfers (within 24 hours) from intake to a housing location in one of six jails. Correctional Health Services (CHS) screens each arrestee coming into the jail system to identify medical and/or mental health issues. Upon implementation of an electronic health record system in August 2013, the time required for each arrestees screening increased. This drastically affected police officer’s time away from their patrols impacting public safety. Collaborating with the electronic health record vendor CHS was able to streamline the health screening process. The revised process allowed for the rapid identification of patients in need of medical attention by focusing on key physical and behavioral health factors. Decreased clinical and officer time spent per health screen are tangible results.