mitzilasner

Yes, thank you. This information is very useful. For what it's worth, I go to the jail a few hours one day per week. They do not have any medical protocol at all, nor do they have anything formal. I do the assessments in a jail cell that contains an exam table. I just take my briefcase full of stuff into the room. Most of the cases are methmouth for which I apply temporary fillings until they see a dentist. I'm fairly new there so I'm just trying to get some ideas put together that will protect not only me but the staff that are there when I'm not. A new jail is being built that will have a medical wing to it. Ought to be interesting. Again, thanks for your response.

Hi there. I have to admit, I've never posted to any kind of forum before, so bear with me. I'll give you a thumbnail profile of myself. I am supposed to be retired, but I couldn't take the hours, so now I've got myself involved in weekly health assessments of incarcerated persons at a county jail. I really enjoy it, and am working for a contracting agency. I began my nursing career in a single physician family practice, then to a Residential Treatment Facility for troubled and abused children, then as a Nurse Reviewer for the State, and retired from there this past summer. I would like to have comment on the situation at the jail. I feel I'm kind of out on a limb in not working under the direction of a physician. The jail has a specific physician with whom they consult but he does not make visits there. There are no standing orders, or policies concerning the nursing assessments or treatment modalities. I met with the physician today to discuss my concerns, and he reassured me verbally, but I'm looking to put together a standing order protocol for common patient complaints. The purpose of the nursing assessment is to screen those who do or do not need to see the physician. I'd appreciate some information or guidance from those who know, and if there is a standard protocol where no physician is available, i.e., a facility. Thanks. I'll be taking a look at the other forum topics.