Overview
The Dukes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) did not ensure that all inmates’ health assessments were completed on time. During the audit period, there were 14 inmates sentenced to the Dukes County Jail and House of Corrections (DCJHOC) for 30 or more days, who were required to receive a health assessment. We found that the contracted healthcare provider did not complete health assessments for 6 of these 14 inmates within 14 days of admission to DCJHOC.
Because DCSO does not ensure that its contracted healthcare provider completes health assessments within the required timeframe, there is a higher-than-acceptable risk that inmates’ medical issues may not be identified and treated, ultimately affecting the health and safety of all of DCSO’s inmates.
Authoritative Guidance
Section 932.07(1) of Title 103 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) states,
Each inmate committed to the facility [in this case, DCJHOC] for 30 days or more shall receive a thorough physical examination. Said examination shall take place no later than seven days after admission. This time frame may be extended to within 14 days of admission for cases in which the admission screening was completed by a physician, physician’s assistant or registered nurse.
Reasons for Noncompliance
DCSO did not implement effective monitoring controls (i.e., policies and procedures) over its health assessment process. Specifically, DCSO does not appear to conduct periodic reviews of its contracted healthcare provider to ensure that health assessments are completed on time. Also, DCSO management informed us that, during the audit period, they interpreted 103 CMR 932.07(1) to mean that health assessments should be completed within 30 days, not that it should complete the health assessment for inmates admitted for over 30 days.
Recommendation
DCSO should implement policies and procedures over its health assessment process to ensure that the contracted healthcare provider completes the health assessments for DCSO inmates on time.
Auditee’s Response
The goal of the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office is always to be in complete compliance. Although the policy at the time of the audit did reflect that health assessments should be completed within 14 days of admission, the interpretation of policy was inaccurately applied. Immediately upon becoming aware of the discrepancy, in-house healthcare staff were reeducated on policy and procedure to ensure that all health assessments are completed within the 14-day period.
Auditor’s Reply
Based on its response, DCSO has taken measures to address our concerns on this matter.
| Date published: | March 4, 2024 |
|---|