The Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) offers a full range of health care services. Every resident receives a medical health assessment as part of the admissions process. Often residents come in with injuries that occurred as a result of their offense. The emergency room at Regions Hospital is used when necessary and a physician is on-call for consultations. Nurses at the JDC assess and treat medical problems.
One of the primary concerns of health services is monitoring medication. The nursing staff makes sure there are medications available and that they are the correct medications for the individual heath problem. This can be very challenging as the nurse often spends a great deal of time communicating with parents, probation officers and physicians about the residents' current medication prescriptions. The pharmacy will deliver medication to JDC, provided the resident has a prescription. A corrections worker is assigned during the day and evening shifts to dispense medications and escort residents to and from the nurse's office for medical clinics. Nurses assess anxiety and depression observed in residents. Increases in mental health problems are common and become exacerbated when the juvenile becomes stressed by being in detention.
Health clinics are offered weekly to residents, including a family practice clinic twice a week. A dentist is available for emergency purposes. Nurses test for pregnancy, strep throat, sexually transmitted disease, and collect other lab work required to monitor medication levels. The nurse assists with evaluation suicidal residents and responds to medical code calls.
A nurse is responsible for assuring the continuity of care is transferred when the residents leaves the JDC. Nurses complete physicals for placements and relay important medical information to whomever the resident is released to.
Other Health Services
In September 2004, JDC began taking Buccal Swab samples from juveniles adjudicated on felony level offenses. This Buccal Swab provides DNA to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database of all felony- level offenders in Minnesota. Ramsey County judges order this test upon admission.
JDC staff will collect urine samples and submits the samples to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. The results of the urine analysis are reported to probation officers or to the courts.
In addition, JDC provides psychological evaluations, certification studies, and psychosexual assessments. JDC contracts with psychologists and agencies to evaluate residents. The residents will complete tests required for these evaluations. These tests may include: MMPI, Jessness Inventory, Carlson (CPS), Beck TT, MACI, Mood Inventory, Multiphasic Sex Inventory, RADS, and Shipley.
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