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Prescribing for people in custody
Stephen Hampton1, Donna Blomgren1, Jill Roberts1
1Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, New South Wales Ministry of Health, Sydney.
Australian Prescriber
|December 10, 2015
Summary
Individuals in custody frequently experience complex health issues and disadvantages. Effective management requires pragmatic, understandable treatment plans and careful medication choices to ensure continuity of care post-release.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Clinical Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Individuals with a history of incarceration often present with multiple co-occurring health conditions (comorbidities).
- These individuals frequently face multifaceted social and economic disadvantages.
- The transition from custody to the community poses significant health risks, including increased mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a clinical and multidisciplinary approach for managing patients with a history of custody.
- To emphasize pragmatic and clear treatment strategies for this population.
- To highlight the importance of pre-release planning for continuity of care.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical considerations for patients in and formerly in custody.
- Emphasis on multidisciplinary team collaboration.
- Assessment of medication management strategies, including risks of abuse and diversion.
Main Results:
- A thorough clinical evaluation and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for effective patient management.
- Treatment plans must be pragmatic, simple, and clearly communicated.
- Careful consideration of medications with abuse potential and risk of diversion is necessary.
Conclusions:
- Managing patients with a history of custody requires a comprehensive, patient-centered approach.
- Prudent prescribing practices and robust pre-release planning are critical for improving health outcomes.
- Ensuring continuity of care after release significantly mitigates post-release mortality risks.