Policy Text
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/2 7, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Referrals and Coordination of Specialty Care -
1 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Manual
Referrals and Coordination of Specialty Care
703.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish a process for referring incarcerated persons who need
health care or specialty care that is beyond the resources available in the jails. The policy includes
guidelines regarding transportation under appropriate security provisions and ensuring around the
clock or on -call availability of alternate services.
703.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff that incarcerated persons have
access to necessary hospitalization and specialty services for serious medical needs. The jails
will provide, either directly or through the County's health sys tem or outside sources, specialty
care and emergency medical services to incarcerated persons when the need is determined by
Adult Custody Health Services (ACHS) staff (15 CCR 1206(b); 15 CCR 1206(c)).
703.3 COORDINATION OF SPECIALTY CARE OVERVIEW
The Division Commander or the authorized designee, in coordination with ACHS staff, is
responsible for ensuring that incarcerated persons receive specialty health care services for
emergency and urgent care that is not available within the jails. In additi on, a plan shall be
developed for the secure transportation of incarcerated persons to a facility where such care is
available in accordance with the Transportation of Incarcerated Person Outside the Secure Facility
Policy.
703.4 REFERRAL TO OFF -SITE MEDICAL CARE
ACHS shall complete required documentation and coordinate with sworn staff to transport
incarcerated persons for medical care beyond services available in the jails.
703.5 OFF-SITE COORDINATION
ACHS is responsible for coordinating off -site medical and psychiatric care for incarcerated
persons, scheduling outside appointments, and notifying sworn staff of off -site transportation
needs. The Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations or the authorized designee shall establish a
written transportation procedure that ensures incarcerated persons are transported securely and
in a timely manner for medical, mental health, dental clinic, or other specialty appointments that
occur at off -site facilities. The procedure shall include the secure transfer of medical information
to the receiving health care service.
Any conflicts that arise regarding off-site appointments will be communicated by the transporting
staff to the incarcerated person's assigned facility ACHS Charge Nurse to determine if the missed
appointment was critical. Any issues identified shall be discussed and resolved between ACHS
and the Division Commander or the authorized designee (15 CCR 1206(c)). Policy
703
Docusign Envelope ID: A1F2B022-12B6-40F6-9C5C-09BDCADD7EC4
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/2 7, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Referrals and Coordination of Specialty Care -
2 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Manual
Referrals and Coordination of Specialty Care
703.6 REFUSALS
A Non-Transport of Incarcerated Person Form shall be completed by transporting staff whe n an
incarcerated person refuses to attend a medical appointment outside of the jail. If the incarcerated
person refuse s to sign the form, transporting staff shall document the refusal on the form. The
ACHS Charge N urse shall be notified of the refusal by transporting staff to determine if the
appointment w as critical. Th e compl eted Non-Transport of Incarcerated P ersons Form shall be
turned i nto the facilit y ACHS Charge Nurse and the facility' s Central Control shall be notified.
703.7 HOSPITA L DISCHARGE
When an incarcerated person is discharged from the hospital, transporting staff shall
communicat e wit h Count y Communicatio ns and the incarcerated perso ns assigned facility’s
Central Control. Prior to the incarcerated person returning to their housing unit, transporting
staff shall ensure the incarcerated person is medically assessed by the Main Jail ACHS 10A
Nurse located in booking.
703.8 RELEASE OF HOSPITALIZED INCARCERATED PERSONS
When a hospitalized incarcerated person is scheduled for release, Administrative Booking
will forward a release notification to the Release Deputy. The Release Deputy shall advise
the jail supervisor that a hospitalized incarcerated person is scheduled for release. The jail
supervisor shall assign a gun bearer to release the incarcerated person at the hospital in
accordance with Sheriff's Office procedures.
703.9 POLICY REVIEW
This policy shall be reviewed at least once every two years.
703.10 POLICY TRACKING
Date of Origin 01/09/2024
Review Date 06/27/2027
Revision Date
Date Approved 06/27/2025
Effective Date 06/27/2025
Supersedes
References Penal Code Sections 4011, 4011.5, DOC Policy
Manual 12.19 Rev. 09/28/2009 , 15 CCR 1206
Regulatory Authority 15 CCR 1206
Signature of Issuing Authority
Docusign Envelope ID: A1F2B022-12