Partner Highlight: SRHS Forensic Nursing Program

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Forensic Nursing Program

In 2021, Spartanburg Regional Hospital Foundation was awarded $19,500 from the Mary Black Foundation to fund two Forensic Nurse Examiners.

Forensic Nursing Program

The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) Forensic Nursing Program provides comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. A team of eight Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs) respond to all five SRHS hospitals for patients who present after victimization. These nurses are specially trained in the holistic care of patients who have experienced trauma. Services offered are patient specific and may include sexual assault evidence collection, medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, photo-documentation of injuries, safety planning, and referral to community resources.

Partnership with SAFE Homes

With patient permission, referrals are made to SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition for all patients seen by a FNE. This is partner agency that provides follow up services at no cost, which include counseling, assistance with orders of protection, 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, and court advocacy. SAFE Homes also provides advocates to accompany patients to the hospital during a sexual assault exam. Having a support person is helpful, as these exams can be lengthy. You may bring your own support person if you prefer.

Seeking Services

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual assault:

• As soon as you check in, let the staff know you need to speak with a Forensic Nurse. You will be put in a private exam room to wait for the FNE to arrive. Our response time is no longer than one hour, except in exigent circumstances.
• You will not receive a bill for DNA evidence collection or medications provided after a sexual assault. The Department of Crime Victim Compensation reimburses hospitals for costs related to forensic medical exams.
• Evidence can be collected for up to 96 hours after a sexual assault. The quicker you seek medical treatment, the better. Please visit our website for ways to preserve DNA evidence prior to medical treatment.
• If you are 18 years of age or older, the FNEs will not contact law enforcement without your permission. You have the right to choose whether you would like the assault investigated. The same medical services will be provided regardless of your decision to pursue investigation.   

If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic violence:

• Hospital staff will ask the FNE On Call to respond to the hospital if you have visible injuries, have been strangled, or do not have a safe discharge plan. You, as a patient, can also request that the FNE On Call respond.
• The FNE will assist you in filling out a Crime Victim Compensation application. This application will be sent to the Department of Crime Victim Compensation, which assists with payment of medical bills related to domestic violence.
• If you are 18 years of age or older, the FNEs will not contact law enforcement without your permission. You have the right to choose whether you would like the assault investigated. The same medical services will be provided regardless of your decision to pursue investigation. 

Health Equity

Achieving health equity is a data-driven, reflective, and ongoing process that requires integrity, transparency, and accountability to understand the structures and systems that produce inequities. The Foundation will deepen our understanding of how community needs differ and then invest in community-specific resources. Residents of Spartanburg County deserve opportunities to participate, prosper, and achieve maximum health and wellness.

To advance health equity, Spartanburg will need to ensure it has: (1) high quality education & employment, (2) safe & supportive neighborhoods, and (3) accessible, affordable, & culturally relevant healthcare.

The work of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Forensic Nursing program falls in the Health Advocacy sub-categories of the Accessible, Affordable, and Culturally Relevant Healthcare bucket.