BIRMINGHAM, Alabama & RENO, Nevada – Today, the Washoe County Detention Facility (WCDF), in collaboration with leading correctional healthcare company, NaphCare, Inc., was awarded the Pinnacle Award by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). The NCCHC Pinnacle Award is the highest distinction in correctional health care, recognizing WCDF’s NCCHC accreditation across three distinct service areas, including jail health services, mental health services and opioid treatment programs (OTP). This marks only the third Pinnacle Award ever granted in the nation and highlights Washoe County's commitment to providing quality care within its detention facility in Reno, Nev.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s Pinnacle Award – and the third one ever granted in the nation,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “The Sheriff’s Office places a high priority on the care of inmates in our custody. From mental health care to opioid treatment programs and Medication Assisted Treatment, the Sheriff’s Office has worked with our medical provider NaphCare to radically change the delivery of health care to those in our custody. Being recognized for the hard work our deputies, our civilian staff and our medical provider have put into improving outcomes for inmates is an exceptional moment and one which we will use to rededicate ourselves to continuing to provide the highest level of medical care to those in our custody.”
NCCHC accreditation signifies compliance with the highest recognized standards of care in each category. Accreditation is awarded following a thorough evaluation by trained correctional health care experts who assess adherence with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards on governance and administration, health promotion, safety, and disease prevention, personnel and training, ancillary health care services, patient care and treatment, special needs and services, and medical-legal issues.
“Pinnacle recognition is a distinctive honor that, to date, only three facilities in the country have achieved. It is inspiring to know that there are places like the Washoe County Detention Facility where custody, health care, and leadership care enough about their patients to put in the hard work and collaboration needed to earn three accreditations,” said Amy Panagopoulos, MBA, BSN, NCCHC’s Vice President of Accreditation.
Since 2015, NaphCare has partnered with Washoe County to provide proactive, patient-focused healthcare, including medical and mental health care, pharmacy, and telehealth services that align with NCCHC standards. This includes developing and implementing improved opioid withdrawal protocols as well as a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to better address patients’ underlying opioid use disorders. In 2021, the Washoe County Detention Facility notably earned accreditation from the NCCHC for successfully meeting its standards for OTP in correctional settings.
“On behalf of NaphCare, we’re truly honored to partner with Washoe County in achieving this milestone,” said Brad McLane, Chief Executive Officer of NaphCare. “The Pinnacle Award highlights our joint commitment to delivering exceptional care and continually improving the health outcomes of our patients, which remains our top priority.”