Inmates know that in the US, body cavity searches are illegal without probable cause, so this tactic is very often successful (which is why these orifices are sometimes (rudely) called “the pink purse” and “the brown purse,” as in “How did cigarettes get into dorm 4?” “Pink purse, most likely”). However, such cases are much different from the case of jail inmates with contraband secreted either in their rectum or vagina.įirst of all, inmates generally do this for one of two reasons: First, to smuggle contraband into the facility. Many even have to go to the operating theater for formal anesthesia. The removal of the foreign body in the ER is never easy–if it had been easy, the patient would have done it themselves–and so most patients require some sort of sedation. After hours of trying, in desperation, they come to the ER. ER rectal foreign body cases usually devolve like this: the patient inserts some foreign body into the rectum (don’t ask why) and then cannot get it back out. Well, let me first say that if you are an ER doc you are clearly a fine fellow and also good looking! Also, as I have, you probably have some great ER stories of strange rectal foreign bodies. How do you handle these types of situations in your jail? Thanks, BJF If the inmate were to have a complication of sedation or the removal procedure that was done against his will, I would think a malpractice claim could be supported. My policy is to do the searches if the inmate will sign an informed consent and allow it to be done. The NCCHC frowns on the jail medical providers doing evidence related procedures or searches. The ER doc felt she would have to sedate the inmate to do the search and felt uncomfortable doing this against his will. The ER observed him for several hours and sent him back to the jail. He told the ER doc that it was a baggy of tobacco. The inmate refused to let the ER personal touch him. A search warrant was issued and the inmate was sent to the ER for a body cavity search. We had a case last week where an inmate was seen putting a baggy in his rectum. I would like you thoughts on body cavity searches. Hey Jeff, like you I am an ER doc and am the Medical Director of a 550 bed jail.
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