What identifies the inmate as having special medical needs?

Identifying inmates with special medical needs is crucial for ensuring their proper care and management while in custody. Health tags serve as a direct and visible means of communication about an inmate's medical conditions or requirements. They are typically worn by the inmate or attached to their records, alerting staff to any specific health issues that need attention, such as chronic illnesses, allergies, or other conditions that may affect their treatment or behavior within the facility.

While medical records contain comprehensive information about an inmate's health history, including diagnoses and treatment plans, they are not always readily accessible at a glance during critical situations. Similarly, medication logs track medications administered to inmates but do not provide a system-wide identification mechanism for those with special medical needs. Behavioral assessments focus more on an inmate's interaction and conduct, providing psychological insights rather than direct medical information.

The use of health tags thus offers a pragmatic solution for staff to quickly and efficiently recognize inmates requiring additional medical consideration.