ThedaCare Closes in on 24/7 SANE Services, Adds Resources for More Outreach To Communities and Law Enforcement
Last year, ThedaCare announced a significant expansion of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. Today, the program has 16 dedicated nurses in the program and has developed several key partnerships in the communities throughout Northeastern Wisconsin and increased services for pediatric victims. Within the next few weeks, they will have 24/7 adult coverage.
“In the past year, we helped more than 50 patients through the SANE program,” said Meghan Van Heertum RN, BSN, SANE-A, SANE program coordinator at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. “We are working closely with many area organizations, including the local law enforcement, medical providers, advocacy groups and sex trafficking intervention teams and others to help victims through one of the most traumatic times in their lives. We are also doing significant outreach to our communities to let them know we offer this service.”
The SANE program provides quality, trauma-informed, compassionate care to victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violent and strangulation, while at the same time improves the quality of evidence collection for law enforcement. The nurses provide exams for women, men and children of all ages. The program is staffed by registered nurses who have advanced education and instruction in medical-forensic examination and in psychological and emotional trauma.
“April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness of sexual violence and prevention. We understand that survivors of sexual assault can be extremely traumatized. Having quality, expert medical care from highly trained nurses in an organized SANE program is vital to a victim’s health and safety,” said Van Heertum. “The care we provide includes education and options that often restores a sense of control, empowering them to make decisions for themselves and take the first steps in their healing journey.”
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 7,000 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 34 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton opened in February. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
