Forensic Nursing in the Emergency Care Setting Position Statement-Forensic Nursing in the Emergency Care Setting

Pdf Summary

The joint position statement on forensic nursing in the emergency care setting emphasizes that forensic nursing is more than just evidence collection. It requires a combination of skills and knowledge of nursing process, trauma-informed care, medico-legal issues, and community violence prevention. The statement highlights that forensic nursing care should be provided by nurses with additional education and training in the care of violence victims, but acknowledges that many emergency departments may not have trained forensic nurses available. Therefore, emergency nurses must possess knowledge related to the care of these patients. <br /><br />The statement emphasizes the importance of understanding the scope of practice, roles, and responsibilities of forensic nursing in the emergency setting, including proper identification, collection, and preservation of forensic evidence, as well as documentation and chain of custody. It also highlights the need for education in trauma-informed care to provide appropriate care to all patients who experience intentional or unintentional violence.<br /><br />The statement calls for collaboration with key stakeholders to develop guidelines and policies that integrate forensic nursing into the emergency care setting. It recommends clear guidance on evidence collection procedures, patient privacy and rights, and reporting requirements. It also emphasizes the need for education on proper evidence collection and preservation, objective documentation, the chain of custody process, and testifying in legal proceedings.<br /><br />The statement suggests that it is highly recommended to have a trained forensic nurse as part of the team caring for patients requiring forensic evidence collection, as well as for all patients affected by violence and trauma. It highlights the economic burden of trauma on society and emphasizes the need for improved education and training in forensic nursing to ensure appropriate patient care.<br /><br />Overall, the joint position statement emphasizes the importance of forensic nursing in the emergency care setting, provides recommendations for practice and education, and calls for collaboration and policy development to improve forensic nursing care.

Meta Tag

forensic violence

forensic injury

forensic crime

forensic evidence

forensic court

forensic testimony

forensic SANE

forensic legal

forensic chain of custody

forensic IAFN

forensic preservation

Keywords

forensic nursing

emergency care

evidence collection

nursing process

trauma-informed care

medico-legal issues

community violence prevention

scope of practice

chain of custody

patient care