title: Improving emergency department care of the sexual assault victin.
abstract: Victims of sexual assault face the multiple threats of disease, unwanted pregnancy, psychological trauma, and physical injury, which are further complicated by a comprehensive police investigation. An organized approach to the care of victims of sexual assault is presented, including guidelines for patient care and a discussion of police investigations, written consent forms, and physical evidence recovery kits. We recommend that the care of victims, from arrival in the emergency department until rehabilitation, be coordinated by a nurse. This specially trained individual serves as a liaison between the patient and the health professionals and police team.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009732:Nursing Care; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010808:Physical Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014768:Virginia