Platte Valley launches program to help victims of sexual assault, domestic violence
On Tuesday, Jan. 2, Platte Valley launched the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in its Emergency Department. SANE provides a critical, compassionate service for victims through specially trained nursing staff, equipment and specialized patient-care facilities to treat and collect forensic evidence from victims who have experienced sexual violence and domestic abuse.
The program enables patients to receive treatment customized for assault survivors and obtain forensic evidence, should they choose to report the crime.
“Before beginning the SANE program at Platte Valley, there were only two facilities in the Denver-metro area where victims of assault could receive a forensic nursing exam to aid in convicting their assailant,” said Sarah White, MD, medical director of the SANE program at Platte Valley. “In providing this service, we are creating a safe place for the vulnerable members of our community to feel supported.”
Platte Valley anticipates more than 400 survivors will be transported to the hospital this year. The team will evaluate patients 18 years and older affected by violence including sexual assault, domestic violence and strangulation. A SANE nurse is available from 1 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., seven days a week.
Six emergency room nurses completed extensive training to become certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The certification included 64 hours of online training, 16 hours of hands-on clinical training with live patients and UCHealth educators, and 12 to 24 hours of experience with SANE nurses to get exposure to what the team will experience with patients at Platte Valley.
A designated SANE room in the ED offers an attached private bathroom and shower, a consult room and a backup gynecological room. The hospital also invested in new equipment including additional supplies, a camera and a video monitor for nurses who might need remote assistance.
“We serve a large area, and this is a severely underserved population,” said Andrea Moore, Platte Valley ED Director. “We’re excited to be able to help these patients who need this type of care. There is a psychological and social aspect that comes with this type of treatment, and we want to ensure these patients have the resources and follow-up care they need after going through something so traumatic.”
The program is funded by a three-year grant from Adams County and represents a partnership with area police departments, courts, district attorney offices and special victims’ units. If a patient chooses to report the crime, forensic evidence collected by Platte Valley’s SANE program will provide an important resource for the police investigation and successful prosecution in the courts, if the survivor chooses to press charges.
"When I was approached by the Adams County District Attorney’s office about the lack of victim services and support in this area, our leadership team knew immediately that we needed to be part of the solution,” said Jaime Campbell, Platte Valley president. “It is sobering how significant the need is in our primary service area, which is much larger than the city limits of Brighton. As a community healthcare organization, it is an honor to help those who need it the most at such a traumatic time, in partnership with all first responders and victim services providers. The need for continued funding and resources will be critical to sustain these efforts.”
In addition to White and Moore, Kurt Gensert, Platte Valley chief nursing officer and chief operating officer, is SANE’s executive sponsor, and April Vialpando, Emergency Department clinical coordinator, facilitates the daily operations.
Physicians with questions about the program can contact White for more information.