This series provides best practices and updates for HIV, viral hepatitis, mental health and STI treatment in the correctional setting.
Breaking the Chain of Infection: Nurses in Corrections Session 1
(Recorded on October 29, 2020)
Hepatitis C Elimination – the Key Role of Jails and Prisons
Presentation by: David de Gijsel, MD, Assistant Professor at the Geisel School of Medicine
Brief overview/description: The United States government has endorsed the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. Most new hepatitis C infections in the United States occur among people who use drugs. The criminalization of drug use has led to a large population of people infected with hepatitis C in prisons and jails throughout the United States. Successful and efficient elimination strategies focus on testing and treating of hepatitis C in people who are incarcerated.
Structural Inequity, Racial and Ethnic Disparities & Infectious Diseases
Presentation by: Bisola Ojikutu, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Global and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Associate Physician, Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Faculty Member, Infectious Disease Divisions, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital
Brief overview/description: This talk focuses on structural factors, such as structural racism, that promote risk for infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and HIV. Public health and clinical strategies to address these factors within underserved communities are highlighted.
Breaking the Chain of Infection: Nurses in Corrections Session 2
(Recorded on November 5, 2020)
HCV Screening and Treatment for Correctional Facility Nurses
Presentation by: Marguerite Beiser, ANP-BC, Director of HCV Services, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Brief overview/description: We review the recommendations and clinical considerations around screening, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). We discuss the nursing role in facilitating and supporting successful HCV treatment in the correctional setting.
Meeting People Where They Are At to Reduce Drug Related Harm
Presentation by: Kerry Nolte, Ph.D., FNP-C, Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of New Hampshire; Chair, New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition
Brief overview/description: Health care providers have opportunities to engage and support clients who use drugs in collaborative goal setting to reduce risk for overdose and infection. This primer discusses how harm reduction strategies can be utilized with incarcerated persons and provides resources for additional learning.
Breaking the Chain of Infection: Nurses in Corrections Session 3
(Recorded on November 12, 2020)
Trauma-Informed Care and Sexual Health Assessment in the Correctional Setting
Presentation by: Solomon Hallal, MA, LICSW
Brief overview/description: This presentation first covers the basic tenets of trauma-informed care (TIC), making the case for its application as a best practice in the correctional setting. Next, the value of applying TIC when taking sexual and mental health histories is explored, with emphasis on the importance of using TIC when interviewing or examining sexual minorities to include LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, genderfluid, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and intersex) inmate patients.
Voices from Lived Experiences
Panel discussion moderated by: Krissy Nikitas, BS, CMA
Breaking the Chain of Infection: Nurses in Corrections Session 4
(Recorded on November 19, 2020)
HBV Prevention, Screening and Management for Correctional Facility Nurses
Presentation by: Marguerite Beiser, ANP-BC, Director of HCV Services, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Brief overview/description: We review the recommendations for prevention, screening, and management of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We demystify HBV test results and discuss clinical scenarios in which HBV can impact other medical care.
STDs in the Corrections Setting: An Opportunity for Sexual Health
Presentation by: Ann Goulbourne, RN, BSN, Sexual Health Nurse Specialist, Infectious Disease Prevention, Investigation & Care Services
Brief overview/description: Discussion of sexual activity in the corrections setting, as well as opportunities for sexual health best practices. Clinical syndromes of chlamydia, gonorrhea, & syphilis including symptoms, screening recommendations (including extra-genital testing), interpreting lab results, and syphilis staging. STD Treatment guidelines, including information on Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT). STD reporting to NH DHHS and working together with Public Health.
Breaking the Chain of Infection: Nurses in Corrections Session 5
(Recorded on December 3, 2020)
Overview of HIV Care in 2020
Presentation by: Rebecca Thal, NP-C, AAHIVS
Brief overview/description: This presentation provides an introduction to HIV epidemiology, screening, management, prevention, and special considerations.
Prison Peer Education Project: NMPEP
Presentation by: Daniel Rowan, CPSW, Program Manager, The New Mexico Peer Education Project, ECHO Institute™
Prison Peer Education Project: INPEP
Presentation by: Abigail Abram, MPH, Indiana Peer Education Program ECHO Coordinator, Step-Up, Inc. and Andrea Janota, Interim Director, Center for Public Health Practice & IUPUI ECHO Center, Adjunct Faculty
Brief overview/description: Prison Peer education provides an effective method for disseminating vital health information to the general prison population while providing meaningful opportunities for incarcerated men and women to develop marketable skills and build self-efficacy.