Authority: IC 11-8-2-5; IC 11-12-4-1

Affected: IC 11-12-4-1

Sec. 11. (a) A licensed physician shall be responsible for medical services in each jail.

(b) Procedures necessary to deliver medical services to inmates shall be:

1. (1) in writing;
2. (2) approved by the responsible physician; and
3. (3) reviewed by the sheriff.

(c) State licensing or certification requirements and restrictions shall apply to all health care personnel working with inmates. Copies of all licensing certification and credentials shall be on file with the sheriff or designee. Jail security regulations shall apply to all medical personnel.

(d) Whenever medical services are to be delivered routinely in any jail, adequate space, equipment, supplies, and materials as determined by the responsible physician shall be provided.

(e) First aid kits shall be available in each jail. The responsible physician shall approve the contents and the procedure for periodic inspection of all first aid kits.

(f) Each inmate or arrestee shall be medically screened upon admittance to jail and before placement in the general population or living area. Screening data must be recorded on a form approved by the responsible physician and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. (1) Current illnesses and health problems, including those specific to women.
2. (2) History of drug or alcohol, or both, use.
3. (3) Current medications taken.
4. (4) Special health requirements.
5. (5) Screening of other health problems designated by the responsible physician.
6. (6) Behavioral observations, including state of consciousness and observable mental status.

7. (7) Notation of the following:

   1. (A) Body deformities.
   2. (B) Trauma.
   3. (C) Bruises.
   4. (D) Lesions.
   5. (E) Jaundice.
   6. (F) Restriction of movement.
8. (8) Condition of skin and visible body orifices, including rashes and infestation.
9. (9) Disposition or referral of the inmate to qualified medical personnel on an emergency basis.

(g) Within fourteen (14) days following arrival at the jail, an inmate shall undergo a medical assessment conducted by the responsible physician or a licensed nurse.

(h) An inmate shall be informed upon admission that medical complaints shall be collected daily and responded to by medically trained personnel. Qualified medical personnel shall follow up on all complaints and allocate treatment according to priority of need. A physician shall be available at least weekly to evaluate and respond to inmate medical complaints.

(i) Each jail shall arrange for twenty-four (24) hour emergency medical, dental, and psychological care availability pursuant to a written plan that includes, as a minimum, arrangements for the following:

1. (1) Emergency evacuation of the inmate from within the facility.
2. (2) Use of an emergency medical vehicle.
3. (3) Use of one (1) or more designated hospital emergency rooms or other appropriate health facilities.
4. (4) Emergency on call physicians and dentist services when the emergency health facility is not located in a nearby community.
5. (5) Security procedures that provide for the immediate transfer of inmates when appropriate.
6. (6) Arrangements for emergency psychological services.

(j) Jail personnel shall be trained in the use of emergency care procedures and shall have training in basic first aid equipment that is currently available in the jail. At least one (1) person per shift shall have training in receiving, screening, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and recognition of symptoms of common illnesses. All jail officers shall be trained regarding recognition of symptoms of mental illness and retardation and suicide screening and prevention. All jail personnel are to ensure that the following is complied with:

1. (1) No jail shall accept delivery of an unconscious or critically injured person. In consultation with the responsible physician, the sheriff shall establish a blood alcohol content (BAC) level above which the jail may refuse to accept an inmate without medical screening. All medical screenings prior to booking shall be at the arrestee's expense. A copy of this policy shall be provided to local law enforcement agencies.

2. (2) Any inmate injured while detained in the jail shall be examined immediately by a competent medical person. A description of the injury shall be recorded and photographs taken when appropriate. Any inmate's refusal of medical care shall be:

   1. (A) thoroughly documented;
   2. (B) signed by the inmate; and
   3. (C) witnessed by staff.

(k) All medications shall be administered in the dosage and with the frequency prescribed. No substitutions of medications shall be made without the responsible physician's written approval.

1. (1) Any jail officer who administers medication shall have received documented training through the responsible physician. The sheriff:

   1. (A) is accountable for the administration of medications according to orders; and
   2. (B) the sheriff or designee must record all administration of medication in a manner and on a form approved by the responsible physician.
2. (2) A structured system for pharmacy storage, accountability, and distribution shall be established in accordance with recognized medical standards as determined by the responsible physician.
3. (3) An inmate's prescribed medication, by a responsible physician, shall accompany the inmate in the original container with the inmate's medical records upon transfer to another facility or upon release.

(l) The responsible physician shall list the jail with the Drug Enforcement Administration as a place of practice. Missing controlled substances shall be reported to the Indiana board of pharmacy using DEA Form 106.

(m) Each sheriff shall do the following:

1. (1) Establish policies and procedures for the development and disposition of each inmate's medical records.
2. (2) Provide secure and confidential storage of the records consistent with physician-patient privileges.

Nonmedical personnel shall have access to these records as provided by law. A sealed copy of an inmate's facility medical record shall accompany the inmate upon transfer to another facility.

(n) Each sheriff shall have a policy providing for the provision of private medical, dental, and optometry services when requested by the inmate. Services that are determined to be medically elective shall be at the inmate's own expense.

(Department of Correction; 210 IAC 3-1-11; filed Jul 27, 1981, 10:30 a.m.: 4 IR 1812; readopted filed Nov 15, 2001, 10:42 a.m.: 25 IR 1269; readopted filed Jul 6, 2007, 2:54 p.m.: 20070725-IR-210070277RFA; filed Sep 11, 2012, 2:30 p.m.: 20121010-IR-210110741FRA; readopted filed Oct 2, 2018, 8:46 a.m.: 20181031-IR-210180366RFA; readopted filed Nov 21, 2024, 3:21 p.m.: 20241218-IR-210230836RFA)