Grievance Getters: Medication Changes
Blake has a seizure disorder and takes Depakote. Outside of jail, he was taking four 250mg tablets to manage his symptoms. During med pass, he only receives one pill, since that is what the practitioner ordered. When the officer can’t tell him why, Blake files a formal grievance against the jail. After investigation, it was discovered that the practitioner prescribed one 1,000mg pill instead of four 250mg pills.
One of the biggest reasons detainees file grievances about their health care in jail is because they were not informed about medication changes. The majority of medical care provided in jails is related to medication.¹ In the community, people have the opportunity to discuss medication changes with their doctor and ask questions. Detainees should have the same opportunity in jail, but officers may not have the information detainees are looking for. So, how can they address the issue?
Don’t know? Ask
If a detainee raises a question about a medication change to an officer, it is on the staff member to get them an answer. That may mean paging the site nurse, calling the practitioner, or asking the detainee to make a sick call request. Whatever you do, “I don’t know” is not an answer.
Consider using communication forms to get the facts when medical is not on site. Jail administration can also provide forms for medical to use when they make medication changes. Then, officers can reference the information at med pass before a grievance is made. Don’t know? Ask.
Get facts from medical
“Denied,” or “discontinued by the provider” are also not satisfactory answers to detainees. They want to know WHY their medicine was denied or discontinued. Avoid these grievance getters by asking medical for additional information.
While officers may not have the training or information to discuss the details of a medication change, they can be instrumental in getting answers. If a detainee seems unsure or hesitant after an officer tells them about a change, the officer should ask them if they have concerns and direct them to place a sick call so medical can explain further. Being proactive during med pass may support medication compliance and help prevent medication errors, especially after a change is made to a prescription.
Remember, you’re not arguing; you’re looking out for the detainee, the practitioner, yourself, and the jail. Utilize the sick call process or a communication form to get facts from medical.
For more information, please contact training@sparktraining.us.
1. Maruschak et. al, (2016). Medical Problems of State and Federal Prisoners and Jail Inmates, 2011-12. U.S. DOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/medical-problems-state-and-federal-prisoners-and-jail-inmates-2011-12
Disclaimer
All materials have been prepared for general information purposes only. The information presented should be treated as guidelines, not rules. The information presented is not intended to establish a standard of medical care and is not a substitute for common sense. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current, and is subject to change without notice. Each situation should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. When in doubt, send them out!®