Cosmetic Treatments for Inmates

sa48sh · Sep 18, 2005

LOL, many years ago some bleeding heart liberals decided that many inmates lived a life of crime because they were UGLY!! So a program was set up to give the worst of them plastic surgery on their faces to correct big ugly noses and other facial abnormalities in the hopes they would not re-offend. Results???? Lots of pretty bank robbers and muggers.......LOL........

On the subject of Dandruff and acne? This is what I tell them. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't see dandruff, I see a few normal flakes and I'm not going to treat anything I dont see." Same thing with acne.....a few pimples is not acne, I don't treat non-existant or perceived conditions. Luckily our CHO feels the same way. Sniffles? unless there is some other co-existing sx's like fever or s/s of infection, we don't treat. Education and a small dose of sympathy(Like I ever get sympathy when I have the sniffles) is all they get. Oh yeah and a $4.00 charge for the advice..........

Blackcat99 · Sep 19, 2005

Yes you are right crjnursewarrior!!! When I was a correctional nurse, many inmates would be asking for and receiving antibiotics and acne cream for a few pimples. You're absolutely right. They are not going to the prom.

psychonurse · Sep 26, 2005

We use to treat all acne, dandruff, colds allergies and anything else that they came in complaining about. Well we went to the people that makes up the commissary and gave them some suggestions of OTC's that they can get for the inmates to purchase. If its on the canteen list then we don't presribe and if it doesn't work and they aren't dying or having horrible acne they have to use what is on canteen.

Two weeks ago the powers that be put IBU (200mg) Tylenol, ASA and Maalox tablets on the unit for the officers to supply. Our pharmacy won't even fill any more prescriptions for them and the physicans can't even write orders for the IBU....we shall see what happens......could be interesting...

Blackcat99 · Sep 26, 2005

Yes psychonurse that should be interesting-No IBU:chuckle At my old job at the pen, the inmates were always whining for IBU. They acted like they couldn't live without it. :rolleyes:

crjnursewarrior · Sep 26, 2005

I think the OTC meds being on commissary would be a great idea. If these people were on the street there is NO way they would go to the drug store and buy this stuff. If they had to pay for it, their ailment would magically disappear I am sure!!I wish that we would put that stuff on commissary...or at least start charging them for it if they get it from us. That would certainly cut back on it. When I worked at the prison (DOC) they were charged for sick call visits, dr. call visits and any meds that were Rx'd. They couldn't get Tylenol at med pass. They could buy it off commissary. I would love it if we instituted that at the jail.

psychonurse · Oct 23, 2005

We cant charge them for their sick call visits since we are accredited with the NCCHC. We have now put Maalox, Tylenol and IBU on the units and the inmates can get them from the officers and we of course can't write orders for them. I think that it will cut down the amount of inmates that we see at sick call. BTW the NCCHC thinks that we are denying access if we charge them for their visits...only time will tell

jen42 · Nov 9, 2005

We do give out dandruff shampoo for people with really bad dandruff... if we don't, they scratch scratch scratch and then get a big MRSA-infected sore on their head. Ick. And we give out acne meds as well, but it seems to be only to people with bad cases. We get SO many abcesses and SO many infected wounds I think that anything contributing to skin integrity is a good thing! Heck, I'd give everyone perfumed Vitamin E Oil in cunning little bottles if I thought it would cut down on the MRSA infections.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 13, 2005

Yes psychonurse that should be interesting-No IBU:chuckle At my old job at the pen, the inmates were always whining for IBU. They acted like they couldn't live without it.

A bit off the subject, but....I went to one doctor who told me to take Ibuprofen for my shoulder pain which was a 7 out of 10. When I told him I didn't think it'd work, he told me that Ibuprofen is "just like Morphine if you believe." Maybe all those inmates are believers!

rn/writer, RN · Nov 13, 2005

Some of the facilities in my state (perhaps all of them, but I'm not sure) charge what amounts to a copay for any meds, even the OTC ones, as well as for exams. Inmates who have no money in their accounts are not denied meds or exams--the charge is put on their account and a percentage of any incoming funds (25%, I think) is deducted to pay off the bill.

This has the amazing effect of reducing frivolous sick calls and med use. No one is denied what they truly need, but it isn't a free ride. Nor should it be.

NurseHERay · Nov 27, 2005

I work for a county jail. Inmates are charged $5 to see the nurse, Dr., or dentist. We tried putting OTC meds on commissary but the inmates abused it. They are charged $5 for 2 tylenol or 2 IBU. They sign a co-pay form each time they get OTC meds. Unless they have been seen by medical and ordered OTC meds. Inmates are not denied meds or exams. But if they receive any money on their accounts it will be deducted. Also, if they are released with a negative balance --- get arrested again and have money on them it will be deducted.

Blackcat99 · Nov 27, 2005

I work for a county jail. Inmates are charged $5 to see the nurse, Dr., or dentist. We tried putting OTC meds on commissary but the inmates abused it. They are charged $5 for 2 tylenol or 2 IBU. They sign a co-pay form each time they get OTC meds. Unless they have been seen by medical and ordered OTC meds. Inmates are not denied meds or exams. But if they receive any money on their accounts it will be deducted. Also, if they are released with a negative balance --- get arrested again and have money on them it will be deducted.

That's wonderful!!!! :chuckle This is the way it should be at all the jails and prisons.