Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

HEALTH CARE

to obtain the blood draw, but the patient continued to decline. In all three cases, the Nurse Coordinator submitted the required “Florida Confidential Report of Sexually Transmitted Diseases,” which includes the patient’s demographic information and reactive testing and lab data, if available. Preliminary data indicates the average length of stay for women was less than 24 hours. As a result, approximately 71% of them were released prior to being screened, highlighting the need for screening at the time of intake. Moving patients from a general population housing unit to the hospital clinic for screening proved much more challenging than initially proposed.

long-term effects on her unborn child. By identifying the infection early in the pregnancy, we were able to start timely and appropriate interventions, minimizing the risk of severe birth defects associated with congeni tal syphilis. This success story emphasizes the broader impact of public health initiatives within vulnerable populations such as incarcerated individuals. The Opt-Out Testing Pilot serves as a model for other correctional facili ties, highlighting the potential to not only improve the health of individuals within the system but also pro tect the well-being of current and future generations of communities. Acknowledgments We would like to express our gratitude to the individuals and organizations that played pivotal roles in the successful completion of this pilot project. We extend our appreciation to Wellpath Corporate, Regional and On-Site leaders and staff for their dedicated efforts in data collection and ensuring the smooth implementation of the pilot program. Ad ditionally, we would like to acknowledge Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for their collaboration and to the Florida Department of Public Health for providing the necessary resources, including free rapid testing kits. Their commitment to public health initiatives has been integral to the execution of this pilot program. We are grateful for the insights and expertise provided by the SMEs from the CDC and Emory University, whose recommendations were instrumental in the develop ment of the Syphilis Testing Protocol. CT

Preliminary data indicates the average length of stay for women was less than 24 hours. As a result, approximately 71% of them were released prior to being screened, highlighting the need for screening at the time of intake.

Conclusion The implementation of the Opt-Out Testing Pilot at the Palm Beach Main Detention Center demonstrates the pivotal role of identifying and promptly addressing active syphilis infections among incarcerated individu als. This case study exemplified the comprehensive care provided to Patient Doe and shows the significance of proactive screening and treatment within correctional facilities. The Opt-Out Testing Pilot not only found and treated an active syphilis infection in Patient Doe but also played a crucial role in preventing potential

Elizabeth Samson, MA, LMHC, CCHP, CPHQ is the Continuous Quality Improvement Director with Wellpath.

Diane Bartlett, CCHP, is the Clinical Innovations Coordinator with Wellpath.

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