In an effort to better serve victims of sexual assault, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is launching teleSANE services with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
The hospital is integrating the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program into its emergency department through encrypted and secure telehealth tenchonolgy, according to a press release about the program.
SANE-certified nurses have completed specialized training in medical forensic care for patients who have experienced sexual assault. Nurses will work with clinicians to care for abuse victims during examinations and data collection. TeleSANE nurses will work in collaboration with the Island’s Rape Crisis Center and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Connect to End Violence.
“I had the opportunity to witness the life-changing impact the SANE program had on sexual assault victims when teleSANE was piloted at Metrowest Medical Center during my time there. Here at MVH, our mission is to provide the best possible care to our community, and I am proud we are able to provide this incredible program to our Island community through the power of telehealth technology,” Denise Schepici, president and CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, said in the release.
A teleSANE meet and greet will launch on Dec. 6 for community partners and clinicians. The program will be fully implemented in the emergency room by the end of the year.
