Types of Exams
Sexual Assualt
This exam is a head to toe check up with a genital exam to ensure your body is healthy and has healed or is healing from recent or past trauma. It is also a good opportunity to assess the need to treat or test for sexually transmitted infections and to connect with important post-assault resources. Minors under 18 must report to Law Enforcement but adults have the option to report your assault. Even if not reporting, it is still very important to be seen by a SANE nurse.
Strangulation
Strangulations can be deadly! Sometimes after a strangulation you may feel fine but you can still have internal injury that we can’t see with our eyes. We recommend all strangulation survivors have medical care as soon as possible. Our SANE nurses can do a full strangulation medical forensic exam once emergent needs have been addressed. A strangulation exam is a very detailed head to toe exam. It includes documentation of injuries, safety planning and follow up. If we see you before you’ve gone to the Emergency Department, we can help arrange transportation there for an assessment of any emergent needs. If you choose not to report this event to Law Enforcement, we can still provide care to you.
Domestic Violence
All injuries, even minor, should be documented with photos and an injury log, even if you are not reporting to Law Enforcement. A SANE exam is a very comprehensive head to toe exam that includes photos of your injury. We typically like to see you back for follow up pictures for documentation and to connect you with needed post-assault resources. Our SANE nurses can also review a safety plan with you.
Abuse and Neglect (child, elder)
SANE nurses can provide very detailed head to toe examinations in cases of physical abuse. The exam includes photo documentation and an injury log.
Suspect Exams
A SANE nurse can collect biological evidence for Law Enforcement from suspects when there is a court order. SANE nurses are ideal for this as we have been trained in evidence collection and how to maintain chain of custody.
Follow-Up Exams
It is very important to document resolution of injury. Our SANE nurse may ask to see you back for follow up to ensure your body has healed. We may also ask you to follow up for continued testing for sexually transmitted infections. Our follow up exams are a great opportunity for us to assess how you are healing emotionally. We can assist with needed post-assault resources.
Evidentiary Blood Draws
A SANE nurse can assist Law Enforcement with blood draws of people under arrest for suspicion of crimes. SANE nurses are ideal for this as we have been trained in evidence collection and how to maintain chain of custody.
Screen for Trafficking Victims
Human trafficking exists everywhere. It is important we are asking the right questions to identify those who may be in need. SANE nurses use validated questions to screen for possible trafficked victims. If identified, we can assist in the connection of vital resources and report to Law Enforcement. We want all of our patients to be safe.
Part of the MMIP Task Force for GRIC
We work alongside dedicated members of the GRIC Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force and assist with community education and awareness.
Certified by The Joint Commission, recognized for
excellence in patient care