Cook County Health’s Correctional Health Program at Cook County Jail Accredited for Quality Health Care Services
April 25 2024 - 11:04AM
Cook County Health’s (CCH) Cermak Health Services has earned
accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health
Care (NCCHC) for demonstrating full compliance with NCCHC’s
nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health
services in jails.
Cermak Health Services was recognized for its ongoing commitment
to providing quality health services for the patients at Cook
County Jail. NCCHC accreditation is a voluntary process. CCH’s
correctional health program was last accredited by NCCHC in
2009.
“I am proud of the Cermak staff for once again achieving
accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health
Care. This recognition not only highlights Cook County Health’s
commitment to high-quality care standards but also underscores our
dedication to enhancing the lives of those within our correctional
system,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
“Providing exceptional health care services in correctional health
facilities is a critical component of public health in Cook County.
This accreditation reaffirms our mission to offer equitable,
comprehensive care to all, regardless of their circumstances.”
“Accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional
Health Care is reflective of what Cook County Health stands for –
which is that every individual has the right to receive quality,
compassionate health care,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Interim CEO of
Cook County Health. “I am grateful to the NCCHC for this
recognition. It is a testament to the dedication and expertise of
our entire correctional health team who provide exemplary care to
patients in a complex environment each and every day.”
The largest single-site correctional health service in the
country, Cermak Health Services has led the way in
developing innovative care models to improve correctional health
care, offering patients comprehensive primary care, specialty
care, dental care, mental health services, rehabilitative care, a
pharmacy, and an infirmary.
“Individuals in custody, many of whom have struggled to obtain
medical or mental health care in their communities, require
extraordinary care and attention to protect their health and
welfare,” Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said. “The work of
Cermak Health Services staff is often underappreciated, but this
accreditation highlights their commitment to providing quality care
for those ordered to the custody of Cook County Jail. We are proud
to have them as our medical care provider.”
“NCCHC accreditation demonstrates that we are meeting or
exceeding the national standards of care for patients in Cook
County’s correctional health facilities,” said Manny Estrada, Chief
Operating Officer for Cermak Health Services, Cook County Health.
“Our staff have worked incredibly hard to achieve this distinction
and we will continue to ensure patients receive comprehensive
health care services.”
To earn NCCHC accreditation, Cermak Health Services underwent a
rigorous professional assessment during the summer of 2023. During
the assessment, a team of experienced physicians and experts in
correctional health care surveyed the facility for compliance with
jail-specific standards in several areas such as patient care and
treatment, health promotion, safety and disease prevention,
governance and administration, personnel and training, special
needs and services, and medical-legal issues.
Cermak Health Services operates the only Certified Opioid
Treatment Program in a correctional facility in the State of
Illinois, which was re-certified in 2023. Cermak Health Services
was also nominated as a Substance Use/Misuse Center of Excellence
Program by NCCHC.
“The patients we serve come from the neighborhoods in which we
all live, work and learn, and their health needs are reflective of
the needs we see across our communities,” said Dr. Priscilla Ware,
Chair of Correctional Health and Medical Director of Cermak Health
Services, Cook County Health. “We are committed to providing
patients with the care they need to support their own health,
well-being and ability to thrive outside of a correctional
facility.”
Cermak Health Services’ program at the Cook County Juvenile
Temporary Detention Center has maintained its NCCHC accreditation
since first achieving it in 2012.
For 45 years, NCCHC’s highly respected standards have
provided guidance to help correctional health professionals and
administrators improve the health of their incarcerated populations
and the communities to which they return, increase the efficiency
of health services delivery, strengthen organizational
effectiveness, and reduce the risk of adverse legal judgments. The
consensus-based standards are developed in consultation with
national experts in correctional health care, mental health, law,
and corrections.
"In continuing to achieve NCCHC accreditation, Cermak Health
Services has demonstrated its commitment to quality,
standards-based correctional health care,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP,
NCCHC chief executive officer. “Accreditation is a voluntary
process, and we commend Cermak Health Services for successfully
maintaining this distinction. The health of incarcerated people is
a vitally important component of public health.”
Kate Hedlin
Cook County Health
312-864-0938
kate.hedlin@cookcountyhhs.org