20.27.254    HEALTH CARE

(1) The facility must have written policy, procedure and practice providing that all medical, psychiatric, and dental matters involving medical judgment are the sole province of the responsible physician, mental health provider, and dentist, respectively.

(2) The facility must ensure that:

(a) personnel who provide health care services to inmates have attained the appropriate state and federal licensure, certification, or registration requirements;

(b) the duties and responsibilities of such personnel are governed by written job descriptions approved by the health authority; and

(c) verification of current credentials and job descriptions are on file in the facility.

(3) The facility must ensure that all treatment to inmates by health care personnel other than a physician, dentist, psychologist, optometrist, podiatrist, or other independent provider is performed pursuant to written or direct orders by personnel authorized by law to give such orders. Nurse practitioners and physician's assistants may practice within the limits of applicable laws and regulations.

(4) The facility must have written policy, procedure and practice that provide for emergency care and meet or exceed the ACA standards for adult correctional facilities.

(5) The facility must have written policy and practice that prohibit the use of inmates for medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic purposes. Policy may not preclude individual treatment of an inmate based on his or her need for a specific medical procedure that is not generally available.

History: 53-30-604, MCA; IMP, 53-30-604, MCA; NEW, 1999 MAR p. 2629, Eff. 9/10/99.