Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4
Table 2: Total Pregnant Patients
History of Syphilis — Not Tested
Released Prior to Screening
Reactive Rapid Test
Not Offered Testing
Age
Admitted
Opted-Out
Tested
under 18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18–24
11
5
4
3
0
0
0
25–29
10
9
1
0
0
0
0
30–34
8
3
3
1
0
1
0
35–39
4
2
0
2
0
0
0
40+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Unknown (Age)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
33
19
8
6
0
1
0
Overall results The Health and Physical Exam typically occurs 7-14 days after intake, but with the Sheriff’s Department’s as sistance, patients were transferred to the clinic between days two and three for their assessments, including the rapid syphilis test. Ideally, testing would take place closer to the time of intake; however, we were unable to conduct tests at that time due to the constraints of existing workloads for staff and the complexity of intake processes. During the 90 days, a total of 1,417 women were booked. Of these, 1,005 were released prior to screening being offered. Thirteen patients were not clinically indicated for rapid testing as they reported a history of syphilis. A total of 145 patients were tested, of whom three had reactive tests, indicating current or past syphilis and the need for further testing. Out of 1,417 women booked, thirty-three had a known pregnancy status; nineteen were released before screen ing. Of the remaining fourteen pregnant patients, eight opted out of testing and six received the rapid test. Among those tested, three patients had reactive tests, including Ms. Doe. The other two patients with reactive tests were offered confirmatory blood tests. However, one patient declined further testing, and the other was released before testing was completed. The patient who refused the confirmatory test initially went to the jail hospital clinic for the blood draw but became agitated due to an unrelated event and decided to opt out of further testing. Two additional attempts were made
patients with a history of syphilis or active symptoms are not tested, as their result will always be reactive. It also included questions about the patient’s medical history and risk factors. Ms. Doe denied any history of previously being diagnosed with syphilis but reported the following risk factors during the 12 months prior to her current arrest: multiple sex partners, sex for money/ drugs, commercial sex, and illicit drug use. The physical symptoms she reported were swollen lymph nodes in the groin and an abscess in her leg from IV drug use. She also reported being homeless. Over the course of the 12 days she was in custody, Ms. Doe not only tested positive for syphilis but also tested positive for and received treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Ms. Doe received the first of three doses of Bicillin® (penicillin G benzathine), commonly used to treat syphilis. In accordance with facility protocol for pa tients receiving medications, Ms. Doe received an InMed Rx card at the time of her release along with her prop erty. Additionally, instructions were provided on where to obtain the medications at the local pharmacy. Ms. Doe left the facility with a discharge plan and prescription. Prepared with the patient’s contact information and discharge plan provided by the Wellpath healthcare team at the detention center, the local health department was equipped to follow up with her and support her in secur ing the last two doses of medication, with continued support from the Florida Department of Public Health and community case workers.
Winter 2024-2025 | Corrections Today
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