Admission and Oversight of COVID-19 Patients from the Department of Corrections

As patients from the Department of Corrections (DOC) are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, UMMS must balance the need for clinical care with the need for increased monitoring and safety measures, for the protection of our staff, law enforcement and other personnel. For these reasons, UMMS is issuing procedural guidelines for how to safely and efficiently admit and monitor patients from the DOC.

In these cases, an officer from the DOC will accompany the patient to the hospital and will remain on-site through the patient’s duration of care. The officer will remain stationed outside the room where the patient is being treated, to facilitate continuous monitoring. In the event that full continuous monitoring from outside the patient’s room is not possible, a tele-sitter or other camera system can be positioned inside the room, to allow for direction visualization of the patient at all times by the DOC officer.

To conserve our supplies, DOC representatives will bring their own PPE when they come to the hospital and will be fit tested (preferably in advance) for use in a negative pressure room. They will maintain the appropriate PPE throughout their shift to ensure entry into the room can occur without delay, if, and when, intervention is necessary. When clinical providers and other UMMS personnel enter the patient’s room to administer care or provide other services, the DOC officer will accompany them, entering the room first and departing the room last.

These guidelines account for a policy issued by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services from the Division of Correction Office of the Commissioner, on March 31, 2020. We will continue to collaborate with the DOC to assure that staff safety remains the top priority as we are administering care for inmates and other persons-in-custody.

Click here for Guidance for Admission and Oversight of COVID-19 Patients from the Department of Corrections.

FAQs

Who will accompany inmates and other persons-in-custody from the DOC, who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 and require care?

It is the policy of the Division of Correction to have one armed and one unarmed officer supervise inmates admitted to the hospital. The DOC will notify UMMS security when they are en route to the hospital. They will remain outside of the facility, but in close proximity, as the incoming patient is being screened and cleared for entry.

Who will monitor these patients and intervene if needed?

A DOC officer will remain on-site to provide monitoring services throughout the patient’s duration of care. The officer will maintain a full continuous view of the patient from outside the room. In the event that full visibility is not possible, a tele-sitter or other camera system will be positioned to allow for direct visualization.

What additional safety precautions will be taken as these patients are admitted?

The DOC officer will perform environmental and patient safety checks, and remove any materials from the room that may pose a risk. Additionally, the DOC officer will enter the patient’s room prior to health care providers and other UMMS personnel, and will leave the room last.