Fall - National Commission on Correctional Health Care

(continued)plex cases and review these health records. The assumptionis that if care is acceptable for these difficult cases,then care for simpler cases is most likely up to par. Theselists are also useful as a snapshot of the prevalence of conditions.• For all chronic care patients (or a suitable size sample),print the dates for chronic clinic visits in the past year, notingwhether or not these were timely (usually every threemonths).• List of all inmates showing the date of last PPD test,whether or not they were tested timely and results of thePPD reading in mm.• List of all inmates showing the date of performance oftheir last annual physical (or the date it should have beenperformed but was missed). The purpose is to see quicklywhether physicals are up to date.• List of inmates for whom the doctor ordered a bloodtest in the past 30 days, showing whether the test wasdone, missed or postponed for any reason. This is to identifypotential systemic problems with follow-up when atest is ordered.• List of names of inmates with HbA1c of 10% or higher(other analytes may be used, such as hemoglobin under 10grams, TSH of zero, high HIV viral loads, high bilirubin andthe like). The idea is to quickly select electronic charts ofinmates with significant laboratory abnormalities and todiscern whether these had been properly addressed by thehealth staff.• List of inmates who had a chest X-ray in the past threemonths, with a comment as to whether or not the filmhad been performed and whether it was termed “abnormal”by the radiologist.• List of inmates who filed a grievance about medicalissues in the past three months, along with informationon whether the grievance had been responded to withininstitutional timelines and whether it had been denied orgranted to the inmate.• List of names of inmates who became due for a mammogram,Pap smear, hemoccult testing and the like in thepast three months, along with an explanation on whetheror not the test was performed on time and whether theresults were positive or negative.Obviously, many of these requested lists would enableme to readily identify problems with follow-up, both in thetimely performance of the activity and in subsequent carewhen indicated.Hope for the FutureOf note, none of the correctional institutions I reviewedwas able to produce all the information requested. A fewsystems were able to produce some data, and several wereunable to respond affirmatively to any of the requests. Itis my hope that this suggested list of desirable EHR characteristicswill be factored in when considering an EHRpurchase.Joseph E. Paris, PhD, MD, CCHP-A, is an independent consultantin correctional health care based in Marietta, GA. Healso works as a physician at the DeKalb County Jail and theDeKalb County Public Health Department, both in Atlanta.In addition to his work as a physician surveyor, he has longbeen highly involved with NCCHC as a frequent conferencepresenter, CCHP trustee and other activities. He recentlyjoined the board of directors as liaison for the Society ofCorrectional Physicians. E-mail joeparis@pol.net.The predecessor article to this one is titled “Going toCourt With an EHR” and appeared in the Summer 2009(Volume 23, Issue 3) issue of CorrectCare.whs_2nd_NCCHC_ad.qxd 8/14/08 5:38 PM Page 1At Wexford Health, we take our responsibilities seriously. That’s whywe have been a trusted partner to more than 250 correctional facilitiesacross the country, helping them to control costs without sacrificingquality of care, cutting corners, or inappropriately denying services.The pride we take in meeting your needs is plain to see.412-937-8590SALES@WEXFORDHEALTH.COMMEDICALMENTAL HEALTHDENTALPHARMACYSTAFFINGEMRUTILIZATION MANAGEMENTCLAIMS PROCESSINGTELEMEDICINEwww.ncchc.org<strong>Fall</strong> 2009 • CorrectCare15