Page 88 - 2023 SMOG Digital

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

sexual assault. Under these circumstances, the victim’s report provided to healthcare
personnel, the SARC, a SAPR VA, command authorities, or other persons is reported to law
enforcement and may be used to initiate the official investigative process.
5. Priority treatment as emergency cases includes activities relating to access to healthcare,
coding, and medical transfer of evacuation and complete physical assessment, examination,
and treatment of injuries including immediate emergency interventions.
6. DO NOT attempt to examine the patient without informed consent except to treat
immediate life, limb, or eyesight threats. SARC notification must not delay emergency
medical care treatment of a victim.
a. Limit cleaning of wounds to only determine severity.
b. Check for associated or additional injury and/or other illness. Refer to appropriate
medical treatment guidelines as appropriate.
7. In situations where installations do not have SAFE kit capability, the installation commander
will require that the eligible victim, who wishes to have a SAFE, be transported to a MTF or
local off-base, non-military facility that has a SAFE capability. A local sexual assault nurse
examiner or other healthcare providers who are trained and credentialed to perform a SAFE
may also be contacted to report to the MTF to conduct the examination.
8. Preserve all evidence:
a. Bag all personal items (e.g., blood stained items, clothes). Paper bags are
recommended if available, in order to prevent excess moisture accumulation and
subsequent evidence degradation.
b. Ensure all items are signed for before handing off.
c. Ensure all interactions, statements made by the patient, and all treatment given is
medically documented in patient care record while maintaining patient
confidentiality.

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