$6K in medical equipment donated to Washington Co. Detention Center

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A non-profit secured a donation of medical equipment for the Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and the county’s detention center.

A news release from the WCSO states the Friends of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office organization asked the Ballad Health Foundation in 2023 for the medical equipment.

The donation included two portable electrocardiograms (EKG) and one Dinamap machine. Ballad Health purchased and delivered the equipment, as well as extra attachments for their use.

In total, the sheriff’s office said the equipment was valued at $5,985.

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According to the sheriff’s office, the equipment is vital for staff at the Washington County Detention Center’s medical staff who care for inmates. Medical services at the detention center are managed by a third party, Southern Health Partners (SHP).

Before the donation, SHP nurses had relied on using a table and an app to perform EKGs.

“Ballad Health has a longstanding partnership in assisting with treatment of our inmates,” Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said in the release. “Along with SHP, we rely on Ballad to help us make smart choices for our inmates regarding medical care. This equipment will replace the outdated methods previously used.”

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