Overview
Health Services provides health care to adults in custody at each institution. State and federal laws ensure that AICs are entitled to health care during incarceration.
Healthcare services to AICs must be comparable to health care provided in the community. This means that all types and levels of health care must be provided in a clinically appropriate manner by properly credentialed professionals in settings equipped and designed for the delivery of health care. Health care includes medical, dental, psychiatric, and mental health services.
Recent Updates:
Recently, an investigation concluded into the Oregon Department of Corrections Health Services Division and key leadership positions. Deputy Director Heidi Steward will continue to lead the Health Services Division until a comprehensive review is completed by Falcon Correctional and Community Services, Inc., a national consulting firm specializing in correctional healthcare. DOC has also named Dr. Michael Seale as Interim Chief of Medicine. Dr. Seale brings 28 years of leadership experience in correctional medicine with a track record of integrating medical, dental, and behavioral health services for acute and chronic conditions.
Health Services Projects:
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
What is Electronic Health Records (EHR) and why is this project important? Here is why:
The Oregon Department of Corrections Health Services Division (DOC-HS) is embarking on a journey of change that will positively impact healthcare delivery to Oregon's adults in custody. DOC-HS delivers continuous care to Oregon's adults in custody across 12 institutions throughout the state. Comprehensive services provided by our health services division encompass medical, dental, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and pharmacy services. Some patients may also receive care through visits to external hospitals or by consulting with external providers.
The Oregon Department of Corrections Health Services Division is now transitioning from paper medical records to an electronic health record (EHR) system. This move is a vital step in the commitment to ensure patient care continues to improve. The interoperability of the EHR will improve the continuity of patient care as healthcare providers, both internally and externally, will have immediate access to patient records and important patient data. Recently, a contract was signed with Fusion, a correctional EHR software provider, to provide this EHR system, and the project is underway.
The DOC is committed to continuing to provide quality patient care, and this transition from paper charting to the EHR system is the first and vital step of this important objective.
EHR updates: