Adult and Adolescent Sexual Assault Patients in the Emergency Setting ENA/IAFN Joint Position Statement-Adult and Adolescent Sexual Assault Patients in the Emergency Setting ENA/IAFN Joint Position Statement

Pdf Summary

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) have issued a joint position statement on the care of adult and adolescent sexual assault patients in the emergency care setting. The statement emphasizes the need for patient-centered, trauma-informed care that addresses the acute and long-term medicolegal and psychosocial needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault. It highlights the crucial role of emergency department nurses in coordinating and collaborating with community-based victim advocates, social workers, law enforcement, and other partners to provide comprehensive care.<br /><br />The position statement includes several recommendations, such as providing a safe and private environment for patients, ensuring emergency nurses receive education on conducting medical forensic examinations and trauma-informed care, employing a trauma-informed care approach throughout the patient's stay, offering immediate medical forensic care by knowledgeable emergency nurses, and consulting or assigning forensic nurses with specific training as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) to care for this patient population. Additionally, the statement emphasizes the importance of offering sexually transmitted infection prophylaxis and emergency contraception, collaborating with multiple agencies for individualized, multidisciplinary treatment, participating in education and research, and recognizing the obligation to provide appropriate medical forensic intervention even without a SANE program.<br /><br />The background section of the statement discusses the historical challenges in providing adequate care to sexual assault patients and the benefits of using SANEs, who have been found to provide compassionate, high-quality care and improve outcomes. It also references guidelines issued by various organizations and the importance of prompt care, evidence collection, and coordination with a multidisciplinary response team.<br /><br />In summary, the position statement underscores the need for comprehensive, trauma-informed care for sexual assault patients in the emergency care setting and provides recommendations for healthcare providers and facilities to ensure the best possible outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Meta Tag

sexual assault pediatric

sexual assault children

sexual assault infants

sexual assault forensic

sexual assault abuse

sexual assault SANE

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sexual assault trauma

sexual assault exam

Keywords

Emergency Nurses Association

International Association of Forensic Nurses

care

sexual assault patients

trauma-informed care

emergency department nurses

medical forensic examinations

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

multidisciplinary treatment

vulnerable population