Re: I want to help you with some of your questions about Forensic Nursing
For the JCAHO Standards, here is what you need to know. I got this from doing a google search, it's apparently a proposal, but it contains the information you're looking for. I included the statement about the proposal because I thought it was also informative. Some of the information (the standards) can be researched and used to persuade your administration to pursue adherance to standards, by utilizing YOUR talents and advancing yourself professionally, increasing your own marketability and realizing just what an asset YOU are to the facility!
<B>Forensic science has been classically associated with investigations of suspicious or wrongful deaths. However, in the past decade, a new discipline, living forensics, has emerged, focusing on trauma survivors and the perpetrators of violent acts. This new forensic arena is germane to healthcare personnel in any setting, and bridges the gaps that have traditionally distanced them from law enforcement and the judicial systems. The requirement to educate nurses in the fundamentals of forensic science was firmly established in 1997 when the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) published its revised standards for patient assessment. The guidelines require that all staff members be educated to identify victims of abuse, violence and neglect, and be able to collect and safeguard physical evidence associated with a known or potential criminal act. The purpose of this proposal is to develop an asynchronous, interactive learning program for the World Wide Web, which will enable nurses and other healthcare personnel to identify forensic cases and to properly document and manage evidentiary materials.
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[FONT='Arial',' ']JCAHO CORE STANDARDS GUIDELINES
E.S.5.1.0.1 Criteria needed to identify possible abuse victims
HO.3.2.15
ES.5.2.10.1.1 Types of abuse to be addressed:
HO.3.2.15.1.1 Physical assault
Rape or sexual molestation
Domestic abuse of elders, spouses, partners, children ES.5.1.2.10.2 Procedures for patient evaluation.
HO.3.2.15.2. Patient consent
Examination and treatment
Hospital role in collection, retention and safeguarding of specimens, photos and other evidence Notification/release of information to authorities
ES.5.1.2.10.3 Referral list of private and community based family violence
HO.3.2.15.3 agencies available through the hospital
ES.5.1..2.10.4 Medical records documentation to include examinations,
HO.3.2.15.4 treatment, referrals to other health care providers and community based agencies and required notification of authorities
ES.5.1.2.10.5 Requires appropriate staff to be trained in injury identification
HO.3.1.15.5 and procedures needed to work with abuse and assault survivors
I hope this helps!
KC4
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