Page 5 - September 2018 CHS Special Edition Newsletter

A Look Inside the Intake Health Screening Process

Mental Health Screening staff (left to right): Kim Rangel, Mental Health Specialist and Dolores Lynn Manges, Nurse Practitioner is pictured in
Munoz, Comprehensive Care Nurse II. the Intake-Provider Room.

individual health needs? Do they jail. technology. Psychiatrists conduct
need medications administered The secondary mental health mental health evaluations through
immediately? screening is done by registered this technology, allowing for a more

Individuals requiring further medical nurses, social workers, or marriage efficient workflow that increases the
attention to address such things as and family therapists. This screening number of patients reached.
diabetes, pregnancy, hypertension, takes an even closer look at an Having a broad and comprehensive
asthma, and drug/alcohol withdrawal individual’s history as it relates to intake screening process assists the
are referred to the medical provider their mental health. Mental health clinical staff in identifying each indi-
on duty. Medication needs, housing professionals work with the individual vidual’s health needs, which leads to
requirements, and follow-up care are to glean information that is crucial better outcomes in patient care. CHS
determined during this assessment by to determining the best plan of care recognizes that this initial encounter
CHS doctors or nurse practitioners. during the incarceration. Each indi- is critical in establishing an individual-
During the intake screening, health- vidual identified as having a mental ized plan for each patient’s special-
care staff inquire about an individual’s health need is assigned a Case ized needs.
mental health history and current Manager to provide care and treat- The CHS mission statement,
status. Each question asked can ment during their incarceration. “providing correctional healthcare with
trigger a secondary screening by a If an individual requires medica- respect, compassion, and integrity
mental health professional for a more tion for their mental illness, they can through a culture of teamwork and
in-depth evaluation, and possibly a be seen by a psychiatrist during accountability,” begins at intake
“visit” with a psychiatrist via telepsy- the intake process via our telepsy- screening and continues throughout
chiatry services. This all happens in chiatry services. Telepsychiatry is the an individual’s incarceration.
the IRC during the booking process, delivery of psychiatric assessment
within hours of being brought into the and care through telecommunications

SEPTEMBER 2018 5