What should a healthcare professional do after realizing they must screen detainees when their shift has ended?

Leaving a note for the next shift regarding the screening reflects a commitment to continuity of care and effective communication in a healthcare setting. It ensures that important information is passed on to the incoming healthcare professionals, who can then manage the screenings and attend to the detainees in a timely manner. By documenting the need for screening, the original healthcare professional enables the next shift to prioritize this task and address it appropriately. This approach respects professional boundaries, maintains ethical standards, and adheres to established protocols for managing detainee health care.

In contrast, completing the screening personally after hours is not advisable as it could compromise the healthcare professional’s ability to perform optimally after an extended shift, potentially leading to errors. Asking a colleague to screen the detainees, while intended as a solution, may not guarantee that the colleague is available or prepared to take on additional responsibilities outside of their duties. Informing the detainees of the delay is courteous, but without proper follow-up or action to ensure the screening gets done, it may not effectively address their healthcare needs.