Inmate, Detainee, Patient???

[CCHP-RN]

I'm working on rewriting all of the policies and procedures for my employer and need suggestions how to reference inmates throughout the policy. I was going to go with "patient" but that doesn't sound right in many of the regular policies. I don't like inmate, detainee, or offender.

These are corporate policies and include jail offenders, detainees and inmates. Therefore, I need a good reference for all of them.

How are they referenced in your policies? Any ideas/suggestions?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Ours are referenced as inmates throughout our administrative regulations and medical directives.

The terminology is less important than the content, as long as people understand what you mean.

[NottaSpringChik, BSN, RN]

Our company is changing everything to patient, so I hear. There is a move to shift to saying anything but inmate, offendor, etc. I would think we could even use "resident."

[toomuchbaloney]

In the correctional system they are inmates, in the health care system they are still inmates but are also patients.

I agree that it doesn't matter much what you call them on paper as long as the policy and procedures are appropriate. IMHO

[laKrugRN]

They are called "offenders" in my area.