In an official announcement that resonates with the significance of healthcare in correctional facilities, Multnomah County Corrections Health has achieved a notable benchmark, securing accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). As reported by Multnomah County, the Corrections Health division didn't just scrape by but rather excelled with flying colors, receiving a perfect 100% rating that underscores its unwavering commitment to quality care for those behind bars.
NCCHC's stamp of approval didn't come easy. To earn this voluntary accreditation, the county's Corrections Health underwent a comprehensive evaluation in November 2024, when experts including nurses and physicians specialized in correctional healthcare swept through the local detention centers, examining myriad factors from patient care, to personnel training, and medical-legal issues. "We have a constitutional obligation to provide healthcare to those incarcerated in our jail, and we are committed to doing so with innovation, excellence, and efficiency," Corrections Health Director Michael Crandell proudly stated, honoring the dedication of his team in a statement obtained by Multnomah County News.
The accreditation process began as part of the fiscal strategy in 2023, culminating in the establishment of a Quality Team assigned to propel Corrections Health towards excellence. According to the same source, this strategic maneuver sparked a top-to-bottom policy reevaluation, ensuring that everything from safety to infection prevention met or exceeded the rigorous standards set forth by NCCHC. These moves weren't just administrative acrobatics; they symbolize a deeper, systemic commitment to the healthcare needs of more than 30,000 individuals processed through the county's correctional facilities yearly.
Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell echoed this sentiment, highlighting the accreditation as a testament to the hard work, and unyielding service commitment made by the healthcare professionals within the correctional system. In her statement obtained by Multnomah County News, she said, "This accomplishment reflects the hard work of our healthcare professionals and their dedication to providing service to those incarcerated in Multnomah County."
