Policies and Procedures

[tcdtx]

I am a last semester ADN student, and we have to write a new policy and procedure paper for our hospital. We chose the topic of what to do when a sexual assult victim comes into the ER. (I live in a small rural community, and we don't have a SANE nurse. I just don't know where to start! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[suzanne4, RN]

A few things to consider:

1. One person to be with the patient throughout the entire visit.

2. A private place for them to give the information, not in the middle of the waiting room, or at the triage desk.

3. Who in a ER will be obtaining the specimens for the sexual assault kit?

4. How will you follow the Chain of Command to protect the kit?

These are just a few of the things off the top of my head, but you should also involve local law enforcement in your area with this. They may have certain protocols that they are required to follow, and it is especially nice for the patient if all are following the "same guidebook."

Good luck..............