Utilization of former military medical corpsmen in the provision of jail health services

In an effort to improve the quality of health services within a large urban jail, former military medical corpsmen have been employed as an integral component of a jail health service. Medical corpsmen are responsible for the performance of intake medical evaluations, delivery of prescription medications, triage for physician sick call, and provision of elementary health services on the jail tiers. Utilization of medical corpsmen has been associated with improved rates of medication delivery as well as beneficial effects in relation to tuberculosis and venereal disease control, and a more appropriate utilization of physician services. Effective utilization of medical corpsmen requires cooperation from the correctional staff as well as consistent supervision and support by qualified physicians.

Tuberculosis transmission in a large urban jail

Following diagnosis of moderately advanced tuberculosis in an inmate of Cook County Jail, tuberculin testing was performed to assess the degree of transmission of tuberculosis within the jail. Twenty-three percent of inmates exposed to the index patient were initially found to be tuberculin positive. Subsequent tuberculin testing three months later demonstrated a 71% rate of skin-test conversion in previously tuberculin-negative inmates exposed to the index patient. The rate of infectivity of tuberculosis within a jail is analogous to a household situation. Despite major obstacles, modern programs of tuberculosis screening and treatment are essential in correctional institutions.