Clallam renews contract for jail-medical services
Published 12:01 am Thursday, April 17, 2014
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has renewed a contract to provide medical services for jail inmates.
The three commissioners Tuesday approved a $213,119 agreement with Correctional Healthcare Cos. of Greenwood Village, Colo., to staff the Clallam County jail with a registered nurse and licensed practical nurses.
The one-year contract includes a $5,279 increase for a 2.54 percent rise in the Consumer Price Index for health care.
Jail Superintendent Ron Sukert said the 120-bed facility is staffed with a registered nurse for 40 hours per week Mondays through Fridays.
A team of licensed practical nurses splits an additional 40 hours per week, with on-call services available at all times.
“And the hospital is just a phone call away,” Sukert said.
An inmate can see a nurse at the jail for a $20 co-pay.
Clallam County has contracted with Correctional Healthcare since 2010, when Olympic Medical Center raised its annual fee for Home Health nursing service at the jail from $200,000 to $264,000.
Western index used
Correctional Healthcare uses the western index for medical services rather than the higher cost-of-living adjustment, resulting in a better deal for the county, Sukert said.
“Things are working great,” he added.
“They’re real good about working with us on cost containment.”
The new contract was effective April 1 and runs through March.
In other board action, commissioners approved a $22,000 contract with StopTech to install a wireless panic alarm system at the Clallam County Courthouse and a $33,000 contract with Hi-Tech Security to replace the fire alarm system at the Juvenile and Family Services Center.
Commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement with the Clallam Conservation District for a Streamkeepers water quality data analysis and monitoring of the Sequim-Dungeness Clean Water District.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
