halfpint6239

HIPPA laws are NOT the same for prisoners according to several court determinations. Inmates are not afforded the right to privacy while in custody. Regardless of what they manage to obtain and bring in with them, we (an accredited facility) have a blanket policy, NO NARCOTICS are allowed to be brought in to our facility. Our physicians determine what medications if any are allowed. Unfortunately we do have some doctors in our society, that when someone tells them they are going to jail, they prescribe them whatever they want!!!! Frequently our inmates who arrive with an addiction to any form of speed, will arrive with asthma inhalers; however a little research proves they never had one prescribed to them prior to being brought to our facility. This is a common substitution when they are unable to obtain their normal drug of choice. We do not allow ANY KOP (keep on person) medications, if they are having an issue with respiratory, we want to know about it and if they do NOT have an inspiratory as well as expiratory wheeze, and their pulse ox is NOT below 90, they do not get to take a hit off their inhaler. It's a fine line in correctional nursing...we must be good nurses, but not gullable. Their is a book, regarding the games inmates play, that we require all new employees to read.