Swedish Hospital SANE Program Expansion

Swedish Hospital, a state of Illinois Safety Net Hospital, located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area and Medically Underserved Area in Chicago, seeks funding from OVC to expand SANE programming through the OVC FY2021 Expanding Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Services to Victims of Sexual Assault grant opportunity. Swedish Hospital is applying under Purpose Area 1: Establish and/or expand SANE/SAFE Programs to expand SANE services to support victims of sexual assault (SA), including:

enhancing best practice care and forensic evidence collection to SA survivors
supporting the recruitment and retention of SANEs
strengthening community response to SA
creating a culture of awareness about SA based on trauma-informed principles at Swedish Hospital and in the broader community
supporting NorthShore University HealthSystem in developing and expanding services for SA survivors at the legacy hospitals

Primary activities include:

complete SA forensic evidence kits
connect survivors with advocates and partnering agency Resilience
provide immediate safety and resources, services, and follow-up care
recruit additional SANEs and provide ongoing training and support for increased retention
provide training on SA to healthcare staff and providers
conduct community awareness events
develop a local Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
purchase a forensic photography system and associated training for NorthShore’s Glenbrook Hospital

Products and deliverables created under this proposed project include:

revised trauma-informed SA policies and procedures
development of a best practice model for assessment, education and follow-up referrals for head injury and strangulation among SA survivors
creation of an annual simulation lab for SANE learning and skill development
development of a local SART, including vision, mission, goals, and regular meetings and case studies
training curriculum and materials for healthcare providers
creation of a resource page on NorthShore intranet, including resources on trauma-informed care, the neuro-biology of trauma and SA resources local to each hospital
program sustainability plan

The focus of the proposed project will take place in Chicago and the northern suburbs. The main location is at Swedish Hospital on the north side of Chicago. Swedish Hospital will help other hospitals within the NorthShore University HealthSystem develop and expand their SANE programs. This includes Northwest Community Hospital, Evanston Hospital, Skokie Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, and Highland Park Hospital.

The following groups will benefit from this proposed project:

victims/survivors of SA
Swedish Hospital SANE nurses
Swedish Hospital Pathways Program
Collaborating agencies (Resilience, local police departments, universities, and other community partners)
Community members
NorthShore University HealthSystem