Emergency response, a fact of life in healthcare, has some interesting aspects to consider in a custody setting. Correctional nurses are called upon to respond to a wide range of injuries and emergencies, from inmate scuffles in the yard and suicide attempts, to unresponsive incarcerated individuals in the housing units. Are you prepared for the next emergency you will encounter…
Read More
Correctional nurses regularly make decisions about the need for emergency treatment of dental conditions. These decisions occur during the triage of sick call requests or as a result of a “man down” emergency call in the facility. What are some key findings that indicate a need for emergency dental treatment? Breathing and Swallowing Emergency evaluation starts with the ABC’s (Airway-Breathing-Circulation)….
Read More
Many dental conditions can appear to be urgently in need of immediate attention when they really are not. Consider these dental concerns common to the correctional patient population. Ulcers Mouth ulcers, also known as aphthous ulcers, are usually very painful, but are not considered a dental emergency. Often treatment with a salt water gargle is effective and nurses can provide this…
Read More