Correctional Health Services awarded national accreditation for quality care
Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health’s Correctional Health Services has earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care by demonstrating compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails. Accreditation recognizes the county’s commitment to providing quality health services for the incarcerated population.
To earn NCCHC accreditation, Correctional Health staff who work at the Adult Detention Center underwent a rigorous professional assessment. A team of experienced physicians and experts in correctional health care surveyed the facility for compliance with jail-specific standards in several areas such as patient care and treatment, health promotion, safety and disease prevention, governance and administration, personnel and training, special needs and services, and medical-legal issues.
"We have a moral and legal obligation to provide health care to people incarcerated in our jail, and we are committed to doing so with innovation, excellence and compassion,” said Public Health Director Sara Hollie. “I congratulate Correctional Health staff for their hard work and dedication on behalf of our residents.”
Information about the accreditation was announced at today’s meeting of the Ramsey County board. County Manager Ryan T. O’Connor noted the accreditation is a result of a long-term work by staff and leaders over many years to raise the quality of care and provide coordinated services.
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For 40 years, NCCHC’s highly respected standards have provided guidance to help correctional health professionals and administrators improve the health of their incarcerated populations and the communities to which they return, increase efficiency of health services delivery, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and reduce the risk of adverse legal judgments. The consensus-based standards are developed in consultation with national experts in correctional health care, mental health, law, and corrections.
"In achieving NCCHC accreditation, Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health has demonstrated its commitment to quality, standards-based correctional health care,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP, NCCHC chief executive officer. “Accreditation is a voluntary process, and we commend Ramsey County for successfully undertaking this challenge. The health of incarcerated people is a vitally important component of public health.”