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Abstract
Discharge planning with pregnant inmates in a New York City jail
D. Parisi1, P. Doyle2, P. Rogers2, R. Glaros2
Issues: Pregnant women detained in local jails are at high risk for HIV infection and non-adherence to prenatal care after release. Timing of release and case disposition are variable and unpredictable, and discharge planners have only a brief window of opportunity to assess the woman’s needs, develop a discharge plan, and connect her with appropriate services in the community.
Description: New York State’s Community Action for Prenatal Care (CAPC) Initiative is designed to reduce perinatal HIV transmission by linking high-risk pregnant women to community-based service networks. In 2004, CAPC expanded by placing a Prenatal Care Linkage Specialist (PCLS) on the health care team at the Rose M. Singer jail on Rikers Island, New York City. The PCLS has access to admission data, which allows timely identification and assessment of all pregnant inmates. Prior to discharge, the PCLS connects the client with CAPC services in the area of her choice. Pregnant women discharged from jail also have access to the CAPC toll-free, multi-lingual hotline, which provides linkage to services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lessons learned: In 2004, only 37% of pregnant detainees were successfully connected to prenatal care, drug treatment, or case management after release. In 2005, that rate rose to 76%. The increase in successful referrals was due to improvement efforts focusing on:
1) Rapid identification and assessment;
2) Increased collaboration with the court system, including legal counsel;
3) Education of inmates on post-discharge use of the hotline;
4) Immediate escort to services at the time of discharge;
5) Reliable transportation services.
Recommendations: A brief window of opportunity exists for linking pregnant women in local jails to prenatal care and other service after release. A cascade of services must be in place to overcome the barriers inherent in an unpredictable disposition process.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WEPE0450
Suggested Citation
"D.Parisi, et al.
Discharge planning with pregnant inmates in a New York City jail.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WEPE0450"
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