Alabama prison system opens $1.3M dialysis center in Springville for inmates

[okarol]

Alabama prison system opens $1.3M dialysis center in Springville for inmates

By Associated Press
3:01 AM CDT, May 28, 2009

SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Department of Corrections opens its $1.3 million St. Clair Dialysis Center at the St. Clair prison in Springville.

Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen is expected to lead the opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

The center has 21 dialysis chairs, compared to the previous eight.

In 2004, about 24 inmates required dialysis care. Today, more than 41 inmates require dialysis each year.

Corrections health services official Ruth Naglich says the center will save tax dollars by providing much needed on-site medical care for inmates, reducing demand for off-site visits, transportation and security.

The department expects to lower its annual dialysis cost by as much as $750,000.

http://www.whnt.com/news/sns-bc-al--inmates-dialysis,0,2700876.story