Medical Director Jail Emergency: Kathryn Challoner, MD

The DEM is responsible for the Jail Emergency Area, a self contained emergency and resuscitation area with an observation area and a respiratory isolation room within the jail ward. The jail ward is located on the 13th floor within General Hospital and consists of the emergency evaluation area, an in-patient service (39 beds), and a clinic.  Emergency medicine residents staff the emergency area only where there are approximately 30 jail ED visits daily.  Rounds are made at the beginning of each shift and attending staff are available 24/7 for instruction and consultation.

All patients in custody are screened in the first floor emergency department before being triaged to the jail ward.  Unstable patients will remain in the ED on the first floor in 1350. To date there are 50 years of Correctional Medicine at LAC+USC Medical Center and the jail rotation is an integral part of our forensic curriculum.

Residents will gain exposure to

• Unusual presentations of substance abuse and drug smuggling activity
• Law Enforcement injuries including tazor gun, flexible baton, dog bites, oleoresin capsicum
• Medical legal experience (testifying in court and interaction with the judicial system)

« Back to Clincal Activities