SOP 222.11: Transporting of Inmates With Infectious Diseases

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`Facilities Operations `|`Reference Number: `
`IIC05-0002`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`12/31/00 `|
|`Subject:`
`Transporting of Inmates`
`with Infectious Diseases`|||
|`Authority:`
`Donald/Adams`|`Effective Date:`
`3/01/2005`|`Page``1`` of`
`3 `|

I. POLICY:

   Interagency notification shall occur between any federal,
   state or county institution, municipal or county detention
   facility, or other facility defined in O.C.G.A. 37-3-1.
   Notification shall not occur intra-agency (within or between
   GDC facilities).

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All incarcerate facilities housing GDC inmates and
   probationers.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   A. O.C.G.A. 42-1-7 and 37-3-1;

   B. GDC SOPs: IIA06-0001; VH36-0001; and VH36-0002.

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   A. Facility: Any state owned or state operated hospital,
      community mental health center, or other facility
      utilized for the diagnosis, care, treatment, or
      hospitalization of persons who are mentally ill; any
      facility operated or utilized for such purpose by the
      United States Veterans Administration or other federal
      agency; and other hospital or facility within the State
      of Georgia approved for such purpose by the Department.

   B. Infectious Disease: To include infectious hepatitis,
      suspected or diagnosed active tuberculosis, influenza,

|Functional Area:
Facilities Operations|Prev. Eff. Date:
12/31/00|Page 2 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Facilities Operations `|`Effective Date:`
`3/01/2005`|`Reference Number:`
`IIC05-0002`|

      measles, chicken pox, meningitis, human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV) infection, syphilis, gonorrhea, or chancroid.

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   Attachment 1 - Notification of an Infectious Disease

   Attachment 2 - Bloodborne Diseases

   Attachment 3 - Supplies to Implement Universal and Airborne
            Precautions

   Attachment 4 - Standard Procedures for Cleaning Body Fluid
            Contamination

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. NOTIFYING TRANSPORTING OFFICERS OF OTHER AGENCIES: The
      following measures shall be taken when an
      inmate/probationer is to be transported to the custody of
      another state or local law enforcement agency, or state
      or federally operated health facility.

      1. At such time that the Warden/Superintendent receives
         notification that an inmate/probationer is to be
         transported to another local, state or federal law
         enforcement agency or health facility, the
         Warden/Superintendent shall notify the institutional
         health-care authority or designee.

      2. The health care authority or designee shall review
         the inmates/probationers medical record for the
         purposes of identifying inmates with certain
         infectious diseases.

      3. If upon review of the medical record it is
         determined that the inmate/probationer has been
         diagnosed as having an infectious disease as defined
         above, a Notification of Infectious Disease Form
         (Attachment 1) shall be completed by the health-care
         staff, or transport coordinator.

|Functional Area:
Facilities Operations|Prev. Eff. Date:
12/31/00|Page 2 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Facilities Operations `|`Effective Date:`
`3/01/2005`|`Reference Number:`
`IIC05-0002`|

   4. In completing Attachment 1, only the state assigned
      identification number shall be placed on the line
      for patient identification. The
      inmate's/probationer's name shall not be placed on
      the form. The health-care authority reviewing the
      record shall sign the form (individual issuing
      notification), and designate the facility and the
      date. The specific infectious disease is not to be
      identified on the form or disclosed verbally.

   5. If medical records are to accompany the transporting
      officer, they shall be sealed in a manila envelope
      and the notification of infectious disease form
      attached to the outside of the envelope.

   6. At the time the transporting officer is given
      custody of the inmate/probationer, the officer shall
      read and sign the notification of an infectious
      disease form. A copy shall be retained in the
      inmates/probationer's facility administrative record
      or other file established specifically for such
      purposes at the sending institution.

   7. Notification that an inmate/probationer has an
      infectious disease shall not take place in the
      presence of other inmates/probationers.

   8. Medical information released or obtained in carrying
      out this procedure is privileged and confidential
      and shall only be released or obtained by the
      facilities or agencies who are parties to the
      transportation of the inmate/patient.

B. NOTIFICATION OF AN INMATE/PROBATIONER WITH AN INFECTIONS
   DISEASE FROM OTHER AGENCIES: The following measures shall
   be taken by transporting officers upon receiving custody
   of an inmate/patient from another local or state law
   enforcement agency or health facility.

   1. The transporting officer accepting custody of the
      inmate/patient shall read completely the
      notification of an infectious disease form and
      acknowledge this by signing and dating the form. A

|Functional Area:
Facilities Operations|Prev. Eff. Date:
12/31/00|Page 2 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Facilities Operations `|`Effective Date:`
`3/01/2005`|`Reference Number:`
`IIC05-0002`|

         copy of the form shall be retained in the
         inmate's/probationer's facility administrative file.

      2. The transportation vehicle shall contain equipment
         and supplies necessary for implementing universal
         and airborne precautions. (Attachment 3)

      3. Universal precautions to prevent infectious diseases
         transmissible through blood or other body fluids
         shall be followed at all times regardless of whether
         an inmate/probationer has been identified as having
         a blood-borne disease (Attachment 2).

      4. If the inmate/patient identified as having an air         borne disease or is coughing frequently and has not
         yet been medically evaluated, precautions for air         borne diseases shall be followed.

VII. RETENTION SCHEDULE:

   Attachment 1: Upon completion, this form is to be placed in
   the employee personnel file and retained according to the
   official record Retention Schedule for that file.