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Commissioner Jacobs thanked the Sheriff for being here. He made reference to an <br /> article that he found on the internet regarding Davidson County and the troubles that it has had <br /> with medical services in the jail. He asked how the Sheriff would deal with oversight since the <br /> company is out of Tennessee. <br /> Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass said that the County will not be paying for any drugs —the <br /> company pays all of that. On site, there will be RNs at the jail 12 hours a day, which can make <br /> decisions about emergency room issues. There have never been RNs on site. This company <br /> has its own pharmaceuticals and they will pay up to $60,000, and then the County will pay the <br /> overage. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that Davidson County had RNs on-hand 16 hours a day and <br /> there was still a huge emergency room bill. He wants some assurance that there is a cap on <br /> this. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked if there was a provision for someone to be on-call when <br /> there is not anyone there. She said that she finds some of the terms of the contract vague <br /> and this makes her uncomfortable. <br /> Sheriff Pendergrass said that there is a doctor on the company's staff when there is a <br /> need for one and the RNs will do preventative care. The doctors are on call 24/7. RNs will be <br /> providing physicals as needed. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she would like specificity in the contract about the on- <br /> call issue. She also made reference to page 5 and Elective Medical Care and asked if there <br /> was a list of elective medical care. <br /> Sheriff Pendergrass said that he is not aware of any. <br /> Interim County Manager Frank Clifton said that the Board of County Commissioners is <br /> obligated to provide a certain level of care. These medical firms do this under extreme liability. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if it was in the contract that the doctor would be at the jail <br /> three days a week and Sheriff Pendergrass said yes. He said that the company would employ <br /> local RNs and a local doctor who could be at the jail within a few minutes. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs agreed that the on-call issue needs to be in the contract. <br /> Chair Foushee said that the contract does not say anything about the physician being <br /> in the jail three days a week, but it is only in the proposal. Pam Jones said that she would <br /> make sure that it gets put in the contract. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that it would be better to say 12 hours a day, 7 days a <br /> week for the RNs instead of saying 84 hours. <br /> Commissioner Nelson suggested making changes to the contract and bringing it back <br /> on the consent agenda. Pam Jones said that this service needs to be put into place as soon <br /> as possible. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Nelson <br /> to approve a contract for Jail Medical Services with Southern Health Partners, Chattanooga, <br /> Tennessee in the amount of $211,250; and authorize the Chair to sign, provided that the <br /> County Attorney reviewed and included in the contract, the proposed changes by the Board of <br /> Commissioners as follows: <br /> • On-call requirement <br /> • Doctor on-site three days a week <br /> • Specification that RNs will be on-site 12 hours a day, 7 days a week <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. Friends Funds To Continue Seymour Center Evening Hours <br />