Smyrna jail officials told to watch medical costs

According a recently released grand jury report, Smyrna jail officers were praised for being “exemplary and professional in the execution of their duties,” but the report also cautioned jail officials concerning rising medical costs for treatment.

The Marietta Daily Journal reported that Smyrna police Capt. Randy Black met with the grand jury’s penal committee in late May and warned Black that proactive steps needed to be taken with the rising medical costs before it became a “critical budget issue.’’

The MDJ reported that this year’s medical expenses were on track to reach $45,000, which would be a 73 percent increase from last year. Black explained in the story that predicting inmates medical costs was impossible, saying, “you’ve got to take care of people while they’re here. That’s a part of the bargain.”

Among items included in the jail’s annual medical expenses are doctor’s visits, dental care, EMS transportation and visits to Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna. The MDJ piece indicated that the grand jury found that Smyrna’s full-service jail had made significant progress in efficiency during the course of the past year.

In other news concerning , the following physicians have been added to its medical staff:

• Alberto Alam-Gonzalez, MD, Board certified in Pediatrics
• Heather Gatcombe, MD, Board certified in Radiation Oncology
• Shelley Machuta, MD, Board certified in Therapeutic Radiology and Diplomate, American Board of Radiology, Radiation Oncology
• Sonia Kamboj, MD, Board certified in Allergy and Immunology and Pediatrics
• Kumar Patel, MD, Board certified in Neurology
• Jacek Skarbinski, MD, Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease
• Mehran Tirandaz, MD, Board certified in Radiology
• Francis Wu, Board certified in Radiology

Also, the hospital will offer a free audiology screening sponsored by the ENT Institute on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

The hearing test will include a pure tone audiometrics screening by licensed audiologist Dr. Kathy J. Colapinto. Reservations are required, and call 770-319-2025 to reserve a time slot.