The EVA System has been deployed in the newly launched Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Telehealth Center (SAFE-T Center). The Center was created by Penn State’s College of Nursing with support from the Department of Justice, and the Office for Victims of Crime.
The program will increase the accessibility of sexual assault examination throughout the area. A team of seven nurses have been trained in using the EVA System to perform sexual assault examination via telehealth. Victims are examined by their local nursing staff with a SAFE-T Center nurse supervising via live linkup, enabling them to advise the local nursing staff and give reassurance to the patient.
“Having the SAFE-T Center with us will afford the nurses some comfort in knowing that they gave high quality care, they did the best evidence collection, and if we move forward to a court case they will feel comfortable, confident that they did what they needed to do for the patient.” Kim Cicon, Emergency Department Director Penn Highlands Healthcare, Dubois told WJAC News.
Prior to the launch of the new telehealth program, Penn Highlands DuBois only had two sexual assault nurses and used standard rape kits. Now, using the EVA System, an increased level of care is available for sexual assault survivors.
