Unconscious Patients

  • 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.