BOP Program Statement 6031.06 § 10

Intake screening is a process to identify urgent and/or infectious medical conditions as early as

possible after arrival to a facility. A thorough intake helps to ensure inmates receive medication,

equipment, activity or housing restrictions, and other immediate needs that cannot be deferred to a

later appointment without placing the inmate and/or facility at risk.

Qualified health care providers will conduct an intake screening assessment of each inmate within

24 hours of arrival to the facility, except where noted below, ideally while the inmate is still in

Receiving and Discharge.

The intake screening will be documented in the EHR using the appropriate Intake Health Screen

template, except at facilities approved by the Medical Director to use rapid paper or electronic

intake health screening forms. The intake screening addresses:

 Urgent medical, oral health, or mental health care needs

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 Signs of acute drug or alcohol intoxication or symptoms of withdrawal requiring prompt

intervention

 Restrictions on housing or temporary work assignments

 Presence of transmissible skin, respiratory, or gastrointestinal infections

 Pregnant female offenders (screen for pregnancy as soon as practical upon arrival, but prior

to the initial comprehensive physical examination)

 Disabilities (sensory, cognitive, and physical) requiring further evaluation and potential

accommodation

 Any new medical problem since last comprehensive medical evaluation

 Renewal of current medications via Medication Reconciliation in the EHR

 Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)/Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

history and needs

 Any recent Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) history

Inmates with immediate medical/dental/mental health needs will be referred promptly to the

appropriate clinicians for evaluation. If the newly arriving inmate is sick, unstable, or requires a

higher level of care than can be provided at the institution, the inmate should be transferred to the

local emergency department in consultation with the CD, designee, or telehealth emergency/triage

consultation service. Inmates who present with a new medical problem since the last

comprehensive medical evaluation will be scheduled to see an APP or physician to review the

inmate’s medical history, review accuracy of current medical diagnosis, adjust the treatment plan,

and review accuracy and clinical indications for previously ordered consultations.

This intake screen is mandatory and cannot be waived. If screening cannot be completed within

24 hours, it will be conducted at the earliest possible opportunity with a notation in the intake

encounter explaining the delay. An inmate who refuses to participate in the intake will not be

housed in the general population until screening is completed; applicable disciplinary action will

be taken.

All intake screenings will be reviewed and signed by a physician, who is responsible for verifying

comprehensive medical evaluations, labs, imaging, and follow-ups are scheduled as clinically

appropriate, and consistent with this program statement.

a. Newly Incarcerated Inmates. Newly incarcerated inmates should be prioritized for timely

intake screening, as their medical histories and risks are unknown or oftentimes incompletely

documented in pre-sentencing records. Their risk for suicidality is also increased as they enter

custody, and clinicians should refer them to a mental health provider for evaluation if clinically

indicated. Whenever staff determine there is concern related to current suicide potential,

Psychology Services will be notified immediately in person or by telephone call. Email and

voicemail messages are not acceptable under such circumstances. See Program Statement Suicide

Prevention Program.

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b. Bureau Intra-System Transfers. A clinician at the receiving institution reviews the Bureau

EHR Exit Summary from the origin institution to determine the medical needs of the inmate upon

arrival at in-transit facilities and will initiate a new Intake Screening to review and update the

inmate’s clinical documentation, medications, and medical needs.

It is prohibited to transfer inmates between Bureau institutions, including holdover status inmates

(e.g., Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement [ICE], Federal Bureau of Investigation, etc.), who have not been screened for TB.

Procedures for TB screening are contained in Program Statement Infection Prevention and

Control or current guidance from the Medical Director. This prohibition does not apply to court-related activities or inmates being transferred on writ to non-Bureau institutions when transfer of

the inmate is necessary. If for any reason an inmate with suspected active TB or other

communicable disease is scheduled to appear in court or an ICE or U.S. Parole Commission

(USPC) hearing, refer to Program Statement Infection Prevention and Control.

c. Transfer Between Facilities in the Same Institution (Intra-Complex Transfers). No new

intake screening is required. The qualified health care provider at the receiving institution will

review the EHR and schedule inmates enrolled in chronic care clinic for evaluation according to

the schedule set by the sending institution; however, if the reason for the transfer is escalation in

inmate care, then a CCC should be scheduled within 30 days of arrival.

d. Bureau Inmates Returning from Non-Bureau Custody. Inmates who are out of Bureau

custody (e.g., transfer to jail, writ, bail, etc.) for more than seven days will have an updated intake

screening evaluation completed within 24 hours of their return to Bureau custody.