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Apr 2, 2017 wtvm.com
Firm criticizes new Chatham County Jail health care provider
We are hearing from the company currently monitoring health services at
the Chatham County Jail. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services
was hired back in August when the county switched health care providers
from Corizon Health to CorrectHealth. The monitoring company claims
CorrectHealth is failing to meet some of the standards and guidelines
outlined in its contract with the county. According to a letter sent to the
county manager, they are recommending the county levy more than $3 million
in fines. "We take a look at various policies and procedures on
different visits, said Steven Rosenberg. Rosenberg is president of
Community Oriented Correctional Health Services, a non-profit based in
California that monitors health providers across the nation including
jails. Chatham County Commissioners hired the group back in August when
CorrectHealth took over after Corizon. "I don't think it's a secret
that they have had challenges with their previous vendor and that the
purpose of us being there was to try to make sure that things were going to
go smoothly with the new vendor, Rosenberg said. The group monitors and
documents jail operations twice a month. Last month, Rosenberg sent a
letter to Chatham County Manager Lee Smith citing between the months of
November and January, CorrectHealth failed to develop timely policies and
procedures, maintain adequate staffing, a full-time medical director, and
build effective relationships with the subcontractor to ensure patient
safety. The letter also recommends the county fine CorrectHealth for more
than $3 million in penalty charges. But Rosenberg says, over the last six
months, the sheriff has been very eager to meet accreditation standards.
"Every single suggestion we've made to the sheriff he's implemented as
quickly as possible. Sheriff (John) Wilcher has been very supportive and
committed, said Rosenberg. It's unclear whether the county will take the
recommendation and ask for that $3 million in penalty charges.
CorrectHealth released a statement saying, the letter refers to issues
from the previous health care vendor. All those issues have been resolved.
Neither the county manager nor the sheriff could comment Monday.
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