Medical Service

Comprehensive health care services within the Department of Corrections are provided by Centurion. Centurion provides a team-based, patient-centered approach, which ensures safe and quality services focused on the diversity of our resident population. Our medical Services Team works collaboratively with the Behavioral Health Team and KDOC staff to meet the unique individual needs of all of our residents. All KDOC residents have access to health care services through the submission of a sick-call request slip or via staff referral for issues residents do not seem to be caring for themselves. There is a system whereby medical is notifies of emergency situations when residents need immediate assistance.

Upon initial intake at a KDOC facility, each resident has a comprehensive screening by a member of the Centurion team. The intake provides valuable insight into the resident’s medical, mental health, substance use, dental and ophthalmic history. The screening is the first step in identifying immediate medical needs, needs for special accommodations, arranging for necessary follow-up care, screening for tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis C and HIV as well as any other indicated diagnostic test, and possible urgent Mental Health needs. For incoming female residents, Centurion also offers cervical cancer screenings and breast exams.

Within 14 days of initial intake at a KDOC facility, each resident will have a comprehensive physical exam by a licensed medical provider. This assessment is completed at routine intervals for all residents during their stay depending on age and chronic health problems.

All residents that have a chronic illness or condition are seen regularly at 90–365-day internals depending on diagnosis, state of control, and medications by a licensed medical provider for follow up and ongoing monitoring of their condition. Individualized treatment plans are updated and modified to meet the needs of the patient at these encounters.

All residents access health services through the submission of Sick-Call Request Slips, which are collected and triaged each day by a qualified nursing professional. Each resident is then scheduled for a sick-call encounter with a nurse with a referral to a medical provider when indicated.

Centurion provides psychiatric and behavioral health care at each KDOC facility. Residents suffering from chronic behavioral issues such as depression are seen monthly or more frequently as indicated as well as provided with appropriate psychiatric medications to help residents cope with their illness. KDOC has designated crisis areas at each facility where residents who may be experiencing emergent behavioral health illnesses can receive closer observation and care officers, behavioral health professionals and trained peer support residents until the emergency has passed.

KDOC has two behavioral health care units at El Dorado Correctional Facility. These units are staffed with increased psychiatric and behavioral health professionals to assist residents with on-going severe mental illnesses. Individualized treatment plans are developed and implemented so that with the more intensive treatment, residents may be able to return to general population.

Following admission to a KDOC facility, each resident is scheduled to meet with a Centurion dentist for a comprehensive dental exam., panoramic X-rays, development of a patient-centered plan of care, and will receive education on oral hygiene and self-care. The resident receives follow-up visits as determined by the plan of care and is re-evaluated a minimum of every 2 years if having chronic dental issues. Fillings, extractions, making/fitting of dentures are some of the common services provided to residents during their stay.

Some of the specialty services that are provided within our facilities, through contracted partnerships with community-based service providers, include laboratory and diagnostic testing, necessary X-ray studies depending on condition, physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, optometry services, colonoscopy/endoscopy services when needed, ultrasound services, and cancer/chemotherapy services. At Topeka Correctional Facility cancer-screening services such as mammograms and regular well woman exams are offered to our female residents. For specialty services not provided on site, a referral is made to community providers and KDOC transports residents for appointments in the community. Telemedicine consults are utilized as appropriate for outside specialists to examine and follow-up conditions as needed.