Story Published: Sep 7, 2010 at 8:30 PM PST
Story Updated: Sep 7, 2010 at 8:30 PM PST
Friday morning commissioners approved a contract between the county and Dr. Regan Hansen. Commissioners say later that afternoon, Hansen told the county he wouldn't be signing the contract.
"Dr. Hansen's group of doctors that he works with, Lewiston Orthopedic, felt by him doing the medical up there that it might be putting them under some kind of liability," said Nez Perce County Commissioner Mike Grow. "Even though he was going to be a separate corporation with separate insurance and everything."
It was bad news for the jail because the contract with the former medical provider, Badger Medical out of Idaho Falls, ended on August 30. Badger Medical stopped providing services on Saturday.
Jail Commander Captain Steve Lutes says they're struggling until new arrangements can be made.
"We have three of our detention officers that are EMT certified and one is even certified to pass medications, pill pass certificate," said jail Commander Captain Steve Lutes. "So we've been passing our own medications morning and night. We, thankfully haven't had any medical emergency or serious medical complaints or issues."
Lutes says their lack of medical personnel has others worried as well.
"There are some concerns from our clients, the State of Idaho being number one," said Lutes. "They are talking about moving all of their state prisoners out of the facility because we don't have a medical professional in place. And I can understand that. That would be a financial blow to our revenue stream."
Commissioner Ron Wittman says the county is looking to approve an interim contract with Correction Healthcare Management, a company out of Colorado. He said they've been negotiating and hoped to have something finalized Tuesday.
