Fact sheet, Health Services, 2020

FACT SHEET
HEALTH SERVICES

2020

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CHIEF OF STAFF RANDY SAULS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION

Health Services is the division responsible for assuring that the required constitutional level of medical care is provided in the most efficient, expeditious and cost-effective manner possible. The priority of healthcare delivery is essential to promoting offender wellbeing while protecting the public's interest.

PRIMARY CARE
The focus of correctional healthcare is centered around the provision of primary care. Primary care is the care delivered to promote the overall wellbeing, health maintenance and health promotion of an individual.
Healthcare is made available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offenders and incarcerated probationers at all state facilities. Physicians oversee and direct all aspects of healthcare delivery. Under the supervision of physicians, physician extenders also participate in the delivery of healthcare. These providers include advanced nurse practitioners and physician assistants. A wide array of services is provided and include physical examinations, routine diagnostics, medical imaging, immunization, sick call and referral to specialty and subspecialty care. Care is provided according to GDC guide-lines and evidence -based practice.
Healthcare services provided include but not limited to: Access to sick call Access to immediate urgent care Access to chronic care (Diabetes, Asthma, Cardiology)
Costs related to Top 200 GDC medical cases: GDC maintains a list of the top 200 most ill state inmates within the state's prison system. The chart below indicates the amount spent on treatment for these Top 200, per fiscal year.

PREVENTATIVE CARE
Preventative care is provided to ensure the continuity of care through an established system of periodic examinations, laboratory studies and chronic care clinics.
A periodic health assessment is provided to all offenders annually.
For those offenders under the age of 50 and who are otherwise healthy, a physical examination every 2 years will be provided.
For those offenders over the age of 50 and/or who have an identified chronic illness will be provided a physical examination annually.
Offenders are provided annual flu shots, tuberculin skin tests and otehr immunizations.
Offenders diagnosed with a chronic care illness are assigned to a chronic care clinic for monitoring and management to include diabetes, cardiac, pulimonary, infectious disease and Dialysis.
Chronic care clinics are but limited to: hypertension, seizure disorder, diabetes, pulmonary, cardio vascular and infectious disease.
WOMEN'S HEALTH
SERVICES
The focus of women's health services addresses the unique health care needs of female offenders with regard to health maintenance, health promotion, pregnancy and prenatal care. In addition to those services described in preventative care, services for female offenders include additional programs and services unique to women.
DIAGNOSTIC, HEALTH MAINTENANCE & CHRONIC CARE
Female offenders are provided an annual health assessment and/or physical an

FACT SHEET
HEALTH SERVICES

2020

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CHIEF OF STAFF RANDY SAULS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION

annual pap smear and baseline or periodic mammograms. All female offenders are provided a review of their health history, recording any significant health events or chronic illnesses regarding menstrual cycle, pregnancies & gynecological conditions. Female offenders are provided with an annual pelvic exam including pap smear and breast exam. Female offenders are also provided clinically appropriate routine laboratory test and other diagnostic test used to evaluate and monitor those females with chronic illnesses.
PREGNANCY & PRENATAL CARE
Pregnant female offenders upon confirmation of pregnancy are housed in a dedicated facility specifically staffed to manage prenatal care.
Prenatal counseling is offered by licensed healthcare providers.
Routine prenatal care is provided to all pregnant females including medical examinations and recommendations on promoting a healthy pregnancy. Additional counseling is provided including safety precautions, nutritional counseling and self-care during pregnancy.
Pregnant offenders receive weekly visits on-site with an obstetrician. Additional visits maybe provided as medically required.
Determination of placement of infant after delivery High-risk pregnancies are evaluated in accordance
with community practices. Offenders are housed at a designated facility. All offenders who are pregnant received prenatal counseling and have delivery at a local community hospital OB department with a dedicated obstetrical program. For deliveries, offenders are transported to designated area hospital by local Emergency Medical Services provider and accompanied by a Correctional Officer

LONG-TERM CARE
GDC provides palliative care to terminally ill offenders/probationers through a structured, patient-centered program to address their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Medical reprieves are considered for terminal illnesses.
PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM AUGUSTA
STATE MEDICAL PRISON (ASMP)
Structured inpatient and outpatient program. Team consists of a physician, nurse coordinator,
social worker, mental health counselor, member of the clergy, pharmacist, activity therapist, dietitian, inmate volunteers and deputy warden of care &treatment
Dental Health
Offenders are provided oral care by a licensed dentist & hygienist including a full range of dental services including dental X-Ray. These services are offered at facilities according to facility classifications. Offenders requiring services not readily available at their facility will be referred as clinically indicated.
CLASSIFICATION LEVELS
Level I: Diversion and Transitional Centers Diversion and Transitional Centers do not
offer in house dental services. Dental Services for these offenders are made
available through a neighboring state prison. Provide access to routine dental service on a
fee-for-service basis through a private dental practice.
Level II: Probation Detention Centers (PDC), Probation Boot Camps and Inmate Boot Camps Facilities without in-house dental care Provide dental screening by trained health
care staff & access to emergency dental care by a dentist at either a neighboring GDC facility or a local community dental provider
Level III: All State and Private Prisons other than the ones listed under Level IV and V Offenders may request routine medical care
by written request every 6 months.

FACT SHEET
HEALTH SERVICES

2020

TIMOTHY C. WAGRRDECGOOMMRISGSIYONCER. DOZIER COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CTHIIMEFOOFTSHTAYFFC. WARD CHIEF OF STAFF RANDY SAULS ARSSEISLTAANTTECDOMLMEISASIDONEERR SHHEAILPTHTSIETRLVEICES DIVISION

Level IV: Intake Facilities Provide routine dental care as well as diagnostic
and emergency services to incoming offenders
Level V: Augusta State Medical Prison (ASMP) is the only Level V facility Provide specialized dental/oral maxillofacial
surgery services and to provide routine care to resident population
DENTAL SERVICES
Comprehensive diagnostic services Treatment plan Operative procedures: filings, procedures requiring
castings or involving laboratory fees are not available Periodontal services: routine prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, closed flap curettage Extraction Removable prosthodontics: complete dentures and acrylic partial dentures limited Referral to Level V facility for specialized oral maxillofacial surgery services as deemed necessary
TELEMEDICINE
A tool for delivery of specialty consultation services to offenders/probationers. GDC uses the GA Statewide Academic and Medical System network. Remote sites including ASMP, Georgia Diagnostic
& Classification Prison, Georgia, Dodge, calhoun, Hancock, Macon, Phillips, Ware and Wilcox state prisons ASMP, the HUB site, where the primary or consultant medical providers via electronic equipment will interact with medical staff and the offender/probationer at the remote site
MENTAL HEALTH
Offender-focused, diagnostic, integrative health care delivery system Non-pharmacological and pharmacological Interventions Twenty-four-hour Coverage for Crises Integrative Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Treatment Suicide Prevention Programming

Cross-generational Programming Gender-responsive Programming Specialized Mental Health Treatment Units Preparation for Re-entry and Continuity of
Care Forensic Peer Mentors Licensed and Licensed-Eligible Professional
Staff
LOCATIONS
Mental Health Services are provided within select State Prisons, Probation Detention Centers, Integrated Treatment Facilities and
Transition Centers.
SERVICES
The Mental Health Services are Comprehensive, Team-driven, interdisciplinary programs. Mental Health Services are designed to improve the emotional stability and overall mental health of incarcerated individuals assigned to the caseload. Services reflect Community and National Standards. Diagnostic assessment/evaluations Psychopharmacological treatment Individual and/or group counseling Individual and/or group psychotherapy Crisis Intervention Behavior Management/Modification Multifunctional Correctional Officer Services Activity Therapy Peer Mentoring for Re-entry Services Trauma-informed Treatment Suicide Prevention Groups Specialized Programming for the Seriously
Mentally Ill Tele-Mental Health Services Collaboration with Community Services