HospitalInspections.org
Bringing transparency to federal inspections
EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
PATIENT RIGHTS: INFORMED CONSENT
Tag No.: A0131
Based on review of documents and interview, it was determined that patients/guardians were not informed of their options regarding examination after experiencing sexual assault.
Findings were:
14 Emergency Department records were reviewed. 2 patients had documented transfers (Memorandum of Transfer) to University Medical Center where they were examined by a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.) 2 patients were examined by the on call SANE nurse.1 patient left against medical advice with her father. 9 patients were admitted for observation until a facility employed SANE nurse could be present. (According to the Chief Nursing Officer a SANE nurse was available from 7a to 7p.) There was no documentation in these 9 patient records concerning offering a transfer to a hospital with an obtainable SANE nurse; nor was there an offer of collecting forensic evidence by trained nursing staff in the Emergency Department.
The above findings were agreed upon in an interview on 9/19/17 with the Medical Examiner and the Interim Chief Nursing Officer.