4.10 MEDICAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN CUSTODY
4.10.1 PURPOSE
A. This directive details medical services provided to those individuals under investigation by or in custody of the Gresham Police Department. This procedure is applicable to individuals in need of medical care prior to admittance to a correctional facility or to further an investigation.
4.10.2 CORRECTIONS HEALTH PROGRAM
A. The Multnomah County Department of Human Services, Corrections Health Program, has been established to provide health services to persons confined to correctional facilities or under police custody. The service is provided through private contract (see Special Order 4.10.1-02 for current contract service provider hereafter referred to as the service provider). All persons meeting criteria described herein shall be treated at the contract facility unless circumstances identified within this directive dictate otherwise.
4.10.3 CORRECTIONS HEALTH QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
A. For purposes of contractual agreements between Multnomah County and the service provider with respect to police requests for medical services, a person comes under the purview of Corrections Health when:
1. The person is under arrest and suffers an injury or illness that is of such magnitude that treatment must be obtained prior to admission to a correctional facility.
a. Example – A suspect is arrested for Assault in a tavern fight and is in need of sutures for a laceration on his head. This person would require medical treatment prior to booking and would fall under corrections health criteria.
b. Example – A suspect receives a gunshot wound while committing an armed robbery and is admitted to a hospital for treatment. The suspect is arrested while at the hospital. This falls under corrections health criteria.
c. Example – A person suffers an injury in a minor motor vehicle accident and requests a ride to a hospital. This is a courtesy type transport and would not fall under corrections health. The person would be transported to the hospital of their choice or the closest hospital.
d. Example – A person is injured in a traffic accident and is transported to the service provider’s facility for treatment of his injuries. An officer responds to the hospital to interview the subject and issues a traffic citation. This does not fall under the corrections health criteria unless the person is to be taken into physical custody upon release from the hospital.
2. The person is in need of treatment prior to admittance to the Hooper Detoxification Center. If treatment is sought the individual shall be returned to the Hooper Center and release will be determined by them.
B. Under normal circumstances when Corrections Health Services are required,
an officer shall transport or cause a person to be transported to the service provider’s facility for treatment. However, in those instances where a person’s injuries are of such magnitude that the victim’s life is in danger, he shall be transported to the nearest hospital until medical personnel determine his condition has stabilized enough to move him to the service provider’s facility.
C. Officers should refrain from arresting a hospitalized subject if the nature of the charge is minor and the length of stay allows the officer to obtain a warrant and serve it upon release from the hospital.
D. If an officer has an injured person in custody and is in doubt whether his injuries are severe enough to require medical examination, he shall transport the person to the booking facility and request examination by the on-duty nurse. If the nurse decides that medical treatment is necessary, the officer shall transport the person to the service provider’s facility, secure treatment, then return the subject to the booking facility.
E. When a prisoner or person in custody is admitted to the service provider’s facility, the arresting officer shall, upon being relieved by the hospital guard, promptly deliver seven copies of the custody report to the Multnomah County Booking Facility.
4.10.4 ADMISSION PROCEDURE
A. Whenever a person is in need of medical attention and falls within the criteria listed in section 4.10.3, the officer shall adhere to the following:
1. Transport or cause the person to be transported to the Emergency Room of the service provider’s facility and inform the Admitting Clerk that the examination falls under the Corrections Health Program.
B. Officers who are obtaining treatment for persons under a custodial situation are responsible for the custody of that person until they are released from custody or released to the Corrections Division. Officers shall stay with the suspect during the time he is under their charge unless otherwise requested by the service provider’s staff.
1. In the event that a person’s injuries require admission to the hospital, it shall be the officer’s responsibility to arrange for a corrections guard through the Corrections Division and to maintain custody over that person until relieved by a corrections guard.
2. If a circumstance exists as described in section 4.10.4.B.1, and the suspect is in need of a corrections guard at a hospital other than the service provider’s facility, the officer shall notify the Multnomah County Detention Center shift Lieutenant (see S.O. 4.10.2-02), and advise him of the circumstances. It shall be the shift Lieutenant’s decision as to whether or not the situation warrants a guard. Custody of the prisoner shall remain the responsibility of the officer until relieved by a corrections officer or notified that no guard will be posted.
C. In the event the services of the “Life Flight” medical evacuation helicopter are required, the arresting officer shall inform the flight crew that the person being transported is under arrest and needs the special security unit at the service provider’s facility.
1. The arresting officer will verify the arrival of the prisoner at the service provider’s facility as the flight nurse may determine while en route that the additional travel time would adversely affect the patient’s condition and may elect to proceed to an alternate hospital. The officer will, as soon as possible, proceed to the hospital where the prisoner has been transported, and will perform the steps as outlined above in 4.10.4B above.
Carla C. Piluso
Chief of Police
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