scholarly journals Implementing Protocols in the Emergency Department to Improve Care for Sexual Assault Patient

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Ciccone
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Educational Training ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Sexually Assaulted ◽  
Evidence Collection ◽  
National Training

This quality improvement project answered the following question: Does implementation of sexual assault forensic examination protocols with educational training increase the number of staff who are knowledgeable and available to complete sexual assault forensic examinations and reduce wait times for individuals who present to the emergency department and have indicated that they were sexually assaulted, over no use of protocols, within a 15-week time frame? Evidence-based state protocols for performing sexual assault forensic examinations were implemented through educational training that incorporated national training criteria and hands on simulation skills practice. Evaluation of outcome measures confirmed an increase to over 80% of available and knowledgeable emergency department staff for providing sexual assault forensic examinations and forensic evidence collection. Implications of the findings support the existing evidence for implementing protocols to improve the provision of examination, treatment, and forensic evidence collection for sexual assault patients. The increase in available and knowledgeable staff for performing sexual assault forensic examinations is expected to reduce the wait time for patients who present to the emergency department and report that they have been sexually assaulted.

Achieving just outcomes: forensic evidence collection in emergency department sexual assault cases

2018 ◽  
pp. emermed-2018-207485
Author(s):  
Katherine A Muldoon ◽  
Allegra Drumm ◽  
Tara Leach ◽  
Melissa Heimerl ◽  
Kari Sampsel
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Evidence Collection

Emergency Department Medical Evidence Collection Following Sexual Assault

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-111
Author(s):  
Diana Strasburger ◽  
Hannah Hall ◽  
Neal McCann ◽  
Daniel V. Girzadas Jr
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Medical Evidence ◽  
Evidence Collection

A Postgraduate Sexual Assault Forensic Medicine Program: Sexual assault medicine from scratch

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanita Parekh ◽  
Marian Currie ◽  
Cassandra Beaumont Brown
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Medical Education Program ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Evidence Collection

A government-funded service to provide forensic and medical care to survivors of sexual assault was established in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2001. Doctors employed by the service lacked the specific skills required to care comprehensively for survivors. Our aim was to develop, implement and evaluate a sexual assault medical education program. It consisted of an `in-house' education program, and external university course and incorporated team-building, networking activities and protocol development. Core elements were: forensic evidence collection, assessment and management of injuries, prevention of sexually transmissible infections and pregnancy, counselling and emotional support. Participant satisfaction and knowledge acquisition were evaluated using a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire. Seven doctors participated in a 16-session program conducted by the director and nurse coordinator with help from local forensic, legal and medical experts. All doctors successfully completed the Certificate in Forensic Medicine, and reported satisfaction with the program and their increased knowledge, particularly associated with collection of forensic evidence and court procedures. A compete set of protocols was developed and cohesive networks established. We have designed an effective education program for doctors working in the field of sexual assault and offer it as a template to other health professionals working in this area.

Forensic Evidence Collection and DNA Identification in Acute Child Sexual Assault

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Thackeray ◽  
G. Hornor ◽  
E. A. Benzinger ◽  
P. V. Scribano
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Dna Identification ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Child Sexual Assault ◽  
Evidence Collection

66. MENAGE A TRIOS: SEXUAL HEALTH, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND FORENSIC MEDICINE

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
V. Parekh
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Clinical Forensic Medicine ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Public Health Model ◽  
Medical Groups ◽  
Evidence Collection ◽  
Health Model ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

Objectives: Small jurisdictions often require clinicians to work in more than one speciality. The aim of this paper is to explore the commonalities between sexual health, sexual assault and forensic medicine that make this possible. Methods: Exploration of (1) common attributes of clinicians who provide these services, (2) characteristics the client groups, (3) administrative aspects and (4) gains for participating clinicians. Results: Clinicians in all three specialties practice within a public health model of care, have a good understanding of confidentiality, sexual wellbeing, other intimate concerns and social justice issues. They have experience working with non-medical groups and are experienced in teaching students and non-clinicians. Clients attending all three of services are commonly victims, vulnerable, marginalised, poor and less able to access traditional medical services. They commonly exhibit high-risk behaviours pertaining to sex and drug and alcohol use. Administrative systems commonly found in sexual health centres such as independently held and secured files and coded filing systems and protocols and practices concerning confidentiality and appropriate interactions with other services allow clinical forensic medicine to be easily incorporated. Clinicians gain from participating in these services by refreshing and developing specialist skills in the management of simple injuries, acute drug and alcohol withdrawal and in the law (forensic evidence collection, minors and custody issues). Conclusions: The similarities between the practise of sexual health, sexual assault and forensic medicine make the transition between the specialties smooth and relatively easy. Indeed the practice of one enhances the other two for clients and clinicians alike.

scholarly journals LO49: Achieving just outcomes: forensic evidence collection in sexual assault cases

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S23-S24
Author(s):  
K. Sampsel ◽  
K. Muldoon ◽  
A. Drumm ◽  
T. Leach ◽  
M. Heimerl
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Ottawa Hospital ◽  
Evidence Collection ◽  
Care And Justice

Introduction: Achieving just outcomes in sexual assault cases is one of the most serious and complex problems facing the health care and justice systems. The objectives of this analysis were to determine the prevalence and correlates of Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) completion and release to police among sexual assault cases presenting at the hospital emergency department. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study come from the Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program (SAPACP) case registry (Jan1-Dec31, 2015) at The Ottawa Hospital, a unique medical-forensic access point and the only facility offering SAEK collection in Ottawa. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted using odds ratios (OR), adjusted ORs, and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: In 2015 406 patients were seen by the SAPACP and 202 (77.10%) were eligible for a SAEK. Among eligible cases, 129 (63.86%) completed a SAEK and only 60 (29.70%) released the SAEK to police for investigation. Youth cases below 24 years of age (AOR:2.23, 95% CI: 1.18-4.23) and presenting within 24h (AOR:0.93-3.40) were the strongest independent factors contributing to SAEK completion. Cases who were uncertain of the assailant (AOR:3.62, 95% CI:1.23-10.67) and assaults that occurred outdoors (AOR:3.14, 95% CI:1.08-9.09) were the cases most likely to release the SAEK to police. Conclusion: Our study has shown high attrition levels along the continuum of care and justice for sexual assault case. Even with access to specialized forensic evidence collection, many do not complete a SAEK and even fewer release the evidence to police for legal investigation.

scholarly journals Risk for Mental Disorders Associated With Sexual Assault: A Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1011-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Dworkin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Sexually Assaulted

Sexual assault (SA) is a common form of trauma that is associated with numerous deleterious outcomes. Understanding the relative prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in people who have been sexually assaulted versus people who have not been assaulted could help to prioritize assessment and intervention efforts, but there has been no quantitative review of this topic. A search of PsychINFO, ProQuest Digital Dissertations and Theses, and Academic Search Premier for articles dated between 1970 and 2014 was conducted, and unpublished data were obtained. Eligible studies used diagnostic interviews to assess Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnoses in both individuals experiencing adolescent/adult and/or lifetime SA and unassaulted individuals. The search yielded 171 eligible effects from 39 studies representing 88,539 participants. Meta-regression was used to aggregate the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in sexually assaulted and unassaulted samples as well as calculate odds ratios reflecting the difference between these prevalence estimates. Results indicated that most disorders were more prevalent in survivors of SA, and depressive disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were especially prevalent. Disorder-specific differences in odds ratios were observed as a function of sample type, type of comparison group, and time frame of SA. Service providers should be prepared to address depressive disorders and PTSD in survivors of SA, and interventions that prevent the development of these disorders are especially needed.

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