Nevada Department of Corrections makes prison medical system improvements
Submitted by editor on Wed, 02/07/2018 - 12:08pm
A kiosk system for medical requests by Nevada Department of Corrections inmates has been installed recently to heighten efficiencies for prisoners and staff handling medication refills, as well as dental and eye doctor requests, with no added cost to the state.
The kiosks are provided by Keefe Group and have been in place since 2012, used by inmates when purchasing items from the store. In November 2016, a pilot program was launched at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center in Las Vegas to utilize the kiosks for more than just purchases. The program was a success and this week is being incorporated in each institution across the state, NDOC officials announced Wednesday.
“This self-serve style of technology is well received in prisons by both the inmates and staff,” stated NDOC Director James Dzurenda. “The more ways in which we can get inmates to be responsible for themselves, the more likely they are to take an active role in self-care when released. This is just one more step in the right direction.”
The kiosk works much like an email delivery system. One benefit is time management. What used to take a few days will now only take a few hours as nurses receive requests and submit responses in the pharmacy system. Another benefit is the curbing of false claims or multiple paper requests being sent which clogs the system and slows the process.
Last year the Medical Division handled approximately 52,000 paper inmate requests, meaning 1,000 pieces of paper being handled by numerous people each week throughout the state. This kiosk system will save paper, time and money and will ensure better delivery of medical services.
