Triage and Intake The sexual assault exam is always secondary
to treating emergency or life-threatening injuries. As a result, the SANE will evalute all patients to ensure that they
are medically stable and able to consent to services. Patients are always encouraged to refrain from washing, changing clothes,
urinating, defecating, smoking, drinking or eating before they see or speak to the SANE when possible. Since adult victims
of sexual assault have a 5-day window for seeking SANE services, this is not always possible. A sexual assault exam
can be completed in either case.
Medical/Forensic History The SANE will ask the patient questions about
the assault which guides the SANE in conducting the medical/forensic examination. Items such as length of
time since assault, hygiene since the assault, medical history, nature of the assault all guide the SANE in the examination.
Medical/Forensic
Examination The sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) will describe the various components of an examination
at the time you arrive at the clinic. The exam includes a head-to-toe medical assessment to determine the extent and
type of your injuries. If you have agreed to have evidence collected this will be done by the SANE as well. The
SANE will explain how and from which body parts evidence will be collected. The evidence will be carefully packaged
and the chain of custody preserved in the event your case ends up being prosecuted. Upon your discharge the SANE will
go over the discharge plans with you to ensure you understand everything completely.
Forensic Photography
The purpose for forensic photography is to supplement the medical/forensic history and document physical findings. The
SANE will take photos to document your injuries if you so desire.
Sexually Transmitted Infection and Pregnancy Prevention One of the primary
concerns patients express following an assault is the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted disease from her/his
assailant or becoming pregnant. You will be offered treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections and for
an unwanted pregnancy. If you have risk factors for HIV a referral for testing and possible treatment will be made.
Referrals
The SANE will provide you a list of referrals to assist you with your recovery from the sexual assault. These will include
referrals for counseling services, financial assistance, food and housing if necessary, and further medical care. The
SANE will also assist you in the event you have not reported to law enforcement and have chosen to do so.
Follow-up services The
Albuquerque SANE Collaborative also offers our patients follow-up services. You will be asked by the SANE if you wish
to be contacted by the follow-up nurse. Follow-up services include continuation of the Hep B vaccination series, if
needed, pregnancy testing, additional photography of injuries, reviewing referrals, assistance with requesting financial assistance
with costs incurred as a result of the assault and other needed services.
Testimony Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiners are specially trained to provide testimony in a court hearing if your case is to be tried by the District
Attorney's Office. The SANE who did your exam has made a commitment to be available to you, no matter how long it
takes for your case to go to trial.
