Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
Triage and Intake
Recommendations at a glance for health care providers to facilitate a triage and intake process that addresses patients’ needs:
- Consider sexual assault patients a priority. Use a private location within the exam facility for primary patient consultations and as a waiting area for family members and friends and law enforcement interviews.
- Respond to acute injury, trauma care, and safety needs of patients before collecting evidence. Patients should not wash, change clothes, urinate, defecate, smoke, drink, or eat until initially evaluated by forensic examiners, unless necessary for treating acute medical needs.
- Alert examiners of the need for their services at the exam site.
- Contact victim advocates so they can offer services to patients, if not already done.
- Assess and respond to safety concerns upon arrival of patients at the exam site, such as threats to patients or staff.
- Assess patients’ needs for immediate medical or mental health intervention. Seek informed consent of patients before providing treatment, according to facility policy.
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