Sexual assault and other physical harm must be a consideration when an unconscious patient arrives at the emergency department.
Medical treatment must not be delayed due to forensic evidence collection.
Facilities may have policies regarding treatment of unconscious patients. Follow facility policy.
Consider contacting the Risk Management Department prior to collecting a sexual assault evidence collection kit on an unconscious patient.
Risk management may wish to formulate a policy regarding evidence collection from unconscious patients where sexual assault is a concern.
Consent from family or guardian, if available, may need to be obtained prior to collecting a sexual assault evidence collection kit from an unconscious patient.
“In the absence of a complete history, examiners should obtain the full complement of samples, assisted by the physical examination” (DoJ, 2017, p. 16).
Make attempts to preserve evidence (do not bathe patient, place clothing separately in paper bags) and speak to patient when they are conscious.
Ensure unused laboratory specimens are not discarded.
If the patient is deceased, the medical examiner/coroner has jurisdiction and will collect any forensic evidence at autopsy (see Post-Mortem Considerations). Lab specimens may need to be sent to the medical examiner’s office.
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