County boosts medical help for jail

Responding to a heavy medical caseload at the Coryell County Jail, the Coryell County Commissioners Court approved hiring personnel to help decrease the workload on the jail's nurse.

"When an emergency arises inside the Coryell County Jail, they call our nurse," said Tim Quintana, a correctional consultant with Southern Health Partners. "She previously worked for the TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which administers the state's prisons) and is tops in her field. She's putting in a lot of hours due to jail overcrowding and staffing shortages.

"We're in a losing situation and I'm asking y'all for further help with a med tech who can assist her 20 or 40 hours a week. This is one of those situations where we really need help. We are in a critical situation. Ultimately, it will also help Coryell County to be more proactive on the medical front. It has a trickle-down impact. I would hate to burn her out and lose her."

Commissioner Kyle Matthews said he is familiar with the concern.

"I've visited with the nurse, and I agree – she's overworked, but she does a great job," he said.

County Judge Roger Miller said he has talked to the Kaufman County sheriff, which also uses the services of Southern Health Partners, and learned that they help fill medical needs at their jail by using a split shift approach that might also be beneficial in Coryell County.

Quintana said he would welcome an approach that can help reduce the workload on the jail nurse, and that filling the need with a med tech is a viable solution.

"In today's world, getting a nurse is like getting an astronaut – they're rare and highly sought after," he said. "I believe a med tech or med techs would be easier to find."

"Is a med tech able to dispense medication?" Miller asked.

"Yes, and they would be extremely beneficial in helping," Quintana said. "Our nurse sometimes works 60 or 70 hours a week and she also gets calls at home. She's very dedicated."

Matthews said getting additional help is a high priority for the county.

"I think it's super important because this will help prevent potential errors," he said. He proposed allocating 20 hours per week for a med tech "to see how that helps. It may solve the problem, or it may tell us we need another 20 hours."

"We really appreciate it," Quintana said.

Commissioner Daren Moore said he favored allocating 40 hours because of the workload and the number of inmates.

"I really don't have a problem with option 1 (the 40-hour recommendation), and that may help us to hire two med techs," he said.

Miller said taking action was crucial.

"I do believe we need to do something immediately," he said. "I don’t believe either option fully addresses what our needs are. This is really a Band-Aid. We really need to reassess what kind of medical services we have at the jail and what we will need going forward."

Quintana said whatever help is offered will be welcome.

"We need it – we need that Band-Aid right now to get us through," he said. "I would welcome the opportunity to come down and talk to you during budget time."

Commissioner Ray Ashby made the motion for the 40-hour option, which Matthews seconded, and the court unanimously approved the proposal.

"This requires a budget amendment, but it could very well be considered an emergency situation," Miller said.