Tulsa County commissioners gave final approval Monday to a new agreement for comprehensive health services at the Tulsa Jail.
The much-discussed contract with Turn Key Health Clinics of Oklahoma City becomes effective Dec. 1. Turn Key has said it will interview employees of the current provider, Armor Correctional Health Services, for positions under the new management.
Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said upfront savings from the deal probably will not be as much as first thought, but he is confident the Turn Key agreement will be more cost-effective by providing better services.
“I truly believe the quality of care will be better,” he said. “Quality of care is No. 1, and second is cost-effectiveness.”
“I had an opportunity to talk to these folks,” said County Commission Chairman Karen Keith. “I believe because they have ties to Oklahoma the attention to detail will be there.”
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The agreement calls for a base rate payment to Turn Key of $482,000 a month for up to 1,800 inmates, which is several hundred more than current daily average populations.
Turn Key is responsible for the first $500,000 in off-site expenses, such as tests and hospitalization.
Turn Key agreed to a staffing level of 48.7 full-time equivalents, including two nurse practitioners or physician’s assistants, a psychiatrist and four other mental-health professionals, a part-time dentist and a total of 24 registered and licensed practical nurses.
The Turn Key ownership group came in for some scrutiny because of contributions to the campaigns of Regalado and other candidates for Tulsa County sheriff, and because principal Jon Echols is an Oklahoma City legislator.
Turn Key Chief Executive Officer Flint Junod, a Bristow resident, formerly oversaw medical operations at the Tulsa Jail as an Armor employee.
The Tulsa Jail will be the largest jail for which Turn Key provides medical services.
