ENS Stacy Skutack

Many people seem to be frightened or turned away at the prospect of working with inmates, but this summer I learned a great deal about institutional health care. I learned how prisons function and how the health care system within them works to provide the inmates with the best health care possible. I saw how the pharmacy operates and the many jobs and roles that the pharmacists of the BOP undertake. I found this all to be a very challenging and worth-whiled experience.

I did so many things this summer, things that I would not be able to do if I was standing behind a counter counting pills, or dealing with insurance companies.

I was able to conduct a DUE on H. pylori treatment with in our institution and also one on the use of Ace-inhibitors in diabetic patients. I was allowed to counsel patients on their medications, and was able to observe a telemedicine clinic.

Telemedicine is a live conference via satellite with various health care providers discussing a particular patient's case. Since many of the patients are required to come to the pharmacy daily or weekly for their medications, you are able to learn more about the patients health concerns and monitor treatment on a individual basis. This allows for greater chance of positive treatment outcomes.

This was one of the features that I liked the best with in the prisons system. I also learned not only about many medications and their functions, but also about the disease states that they were treating. It was so wonderful to put what I learn in school and read in books into practice.

I would like to thank the BOP for presenting me with this opportunity and also thank my preceptor for making this a fantastic experience.