2016
DECADE EDITION |
09
asspecialized forensicequipmentandsupplies for
evidencecollection in theemergency roomatAspirus
WausauHospital.
The ImpactofSANE
TheSANEprogram isoffered through theWisconsin
Associationof ForensicNursingand trainsnurseson
properdocumentationandhow toconductpelvic
exams, collectevidenceand testify incourt.Theprogram
alsocovers legality issuespertaining tosexual assault.
“All ofouremergency
departmentnursesare trained
incaring fordomesticviolence
victims,but sexual assault
cases requireadditional care,
particularlywhencollecting
evidence,”saidRobinRudie,
RN, nursingdirectorof the
emergencydepartmentat
AspirusWausauHospital.
“Nurseswho receiveSANE
certificationarecommitted
to thesevictimsandhavea
passion forhelpingpeople
whohavesuffered through
thisexperience.”
TherecurrentlyarenoSANEprogramsnorthofWausau,
somaking itastandardofcareatAspirusbecomeseven
morevaluable. It’s important forvictims to receive the
propermedical careand resourcesassoonaspossible,
notonly for themselves,butalso tohelp lawenforcement
preventsimilarsituations fromhappeningagain.
“Wesee these individualsononeof theworstdays
of their lives, soanythingwecando to improve the
experience thebetter,”saidJillianKurtzhals,patrol
officerandmemberof theDomesticAbuseResponse
Teamwith theWausauPoliceDepartment. “Havinga
goodSANEprogramatahospital expedites thewhole
ordeal for thevictimsbyallowingnurses toperform
examsbeforeweevenget thereandensuring that the
evidenceweneed isobtainedproperlysowecanuse it
if thevictimsproceedwithcharges.”
NotJustMedicalCare
It’sagiven thatdomesticandsexual assaultvictimswill
receivemedical carewhen theyarriveat theemergency
room,buthavingaSANEprogramcandosomuch
more. Inaddition to thephysical traumaexperiencedby
victims, theemotional traumacanbeevengreater.
“Victimsoften feel shock, ashamedorguilty, andmay
behesitant toask forhelporevenknowwhat toask for,”
saidJessicaLind, sexual assaultvictimservicesprogram
coordinator forTheWomen’sCommunity. “Whenyou
haveanestablishedSANEprogramatahospital, ithelps
ourorganization toworkmoreeffectivelyasa teamwith
thehospital and lawenforcement toensure thatvictims
get thepropercare, support, resourcesandevenshelter,
ifnecessary.”
On topof theemotionsvictims feel asa resultof
theassault itself, thereareadditional emotionsand
uncertaintywhile theyare receivingcare.Whatwill
happennext?What sortof caredo Ineed?Theseare
scenarios that theenhancedprogramatAspirusWausau
Hospital canhelpwith.
“Weare fortunate inourarea thatwehaveanumber
of great resources forvictimsofdomesticandsexual
assault,”Kurtzhalssaid. “Ourmaingoal always is to
support thevictimsand let themknow thecommunity
is there for them, andhaving thisprogramatAspirus
isanotherway togivepeopleaccess tomuch-needed
resources.”
RobinRudie,RN
NursingDirector
EmergencyDepartment
AspirusWausauHospital
JessicaLind,sexualassaultvictimservicesprogram
coordinator forTheWomen’sCommunity.
