Management of the sexually assaulted patient: Utilization of the “forensic survey”

3^rd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 06-08, 2014 Hilton San Antonio Airport, USA

Evangeline Barefoot and Laura O? Donnell

ScientificTracks-Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

Sexual assault survivors often seek medical care and support at hospitals, doctor?s offices, and urgent care centers that are ill-equipped to care for the unique needs of this patient population. As more and more victims come forward seeking care, medical providers need to be prepared to meet their needs. The sexually assaulted patient is a trauma patient and should be treated likewise utilizing the well-accepted primary and secondary surveys as recommended by the Emergency Nurses Association. Following the primary and secondary surveys, the forensic survey should be considered so that careful forensic considerations can be made to insure that possible evidence and referrals to community resources can be utilized.

Biography :

Evangeline Barefoot is a Forensic Nurse Examiner/Consultant at St. David?s Round Rock Medical Center. She has 23 years of experience as a registered nurse with primary practice as trauma nurse and sexual assault nurse examiner/ forensic nurse. She recently completed a seven year contract with State of Texas as an instructor for sexual assault nurse examiners and is currently a content expert/consultant for the U. S. Air Force in the area of sexual assault.