NCJ Number
211494
Journal
Forensic Nursing Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: Summer 2005 Pages: 124-128
Date Published
2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This descriptive, exploratory study empirically examined the clinical nursing practices used by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program in Canada.
Abstract
Data and information were obtained from a hospital-based sexual assault care center. The database contained information from standardized intake protocols and retrospective medical chart reviews collected by researchers. The study examined database information on SANE services used by women between 1998 and 2001. The study encompassed 1,018 female sexual assault patients seen by any of the SANE personnel working at the urgent care center during those years. The focus was on variables related to forms of care specified for the SANE in the health care organization. These included physical exam, sexual assault evidence collection, tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, the collection of blood for a later HIV test, dispensing appropriate medication, and testing for pregnancy. Reasons for the involvement of a physician were documented. The study found that 47 percent of the women who were served by the SANE consented to forensic evidence collection and the completion of a kit. SANE personnel made clear to the women that they had control over their postassault medical and legal decisions. Sixty-two percent of the women received prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, and 45 percent consented to a pregnancy test. HIV screening was provided for 35 percent of the women. From the time women entered and left the hospital, SANE provided its services in just over 3 hours. Future research should compare acute postassault SANE services with non-SANE services in order to determine SANE effects on health outcomes for sexual assault victims. 3 tables and 19 references