Reducing risks and improving health outcomes for prisoners in watch houses: Do emergency department nurses in the custodial setting make a difference?

Abstract

Introduction: The partnership between Health and Police services is important in preventing deaths in custody and ensuring that health care requirements for police detainees are met. Research regarding health service models of care for detainees in the police watch house setting is relatively unknown. Aim: This study aims to present the outcomes for detainees, Health and Police services when emergency nurses covered 18 hours per 24 hour period to supplement domiciliary nursing services in order to achieve a 24/7 nursing presence in the watch house over a 66 day trial period. Method: A retrospective study of the health care received by detainee/patients during the trial period (May 3–July 8 2013). Descriptive analyses will be undertaken to describe and compare patient characteristics (including reasons for care), health care received and health service outcomes for those who did and did not require transfer to the emergency department (ED) from the watch house. Results: During the trial period, 1109 nurse reviews were performed and 27 detainee/patient transfers to the ED for assessment and/or treatment were made. Outcomes in relation to the healthcare received by detainee/patients who did and did not require transport to the ED during the trial period will be presented. Conclusion: The findings in this study provide valuable information about health care delivery in the police watch house setting and the appropriate use of hospital emergency departments in relation to detainee health care.