PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE often feel frightened, alone, and unheard—being subjected to an intrusive clinical exam in the wake of the incident can make them feel victimized all over again. That’s where Mercy Health’s forensic nursing team can step in to make a big difference.
Being a relatively new specialty, the term forensic nursing may be unfamiliar to many. According to Mindy Lause, MSN, RN, AFN-C, FCN, SANE-A, Forensic Nursing Program Manager for Mercy Health, certain aspects of forensic nursing date back to the 1970s, and it has continued to evolve ever since. The American Nurses Association officially recognized this area of specialization in 1995.
What exactly is the role of a forensic nurse? Lause explains, “Forensic nurses serve all victims of violence who have medical needs and intersect with the legal system. We provide head-to-toe assessments, injury identification, recommendations for imaging studies and labs consistent with evidence-based practice, forensic photography, and documentation of all our findings. Potentially we also testify on behalf of patients regarding those findings and the evidence we’ve collected.”
Lause further elaborates that the members of her team are, first and foremost, nurses who allot ample time to sit with and listen to victims of violence. “We allow them to disclose their story, address the trauma they’ve endured, and validate what they went through. Plus, we provide education to our patients related to their experience and connect them with resources that may assist with their journey to healing,” she says.
Mercy Health’s forensic nursing program arose from the recognition that patients exposed to violent crime weren’t getting the type of care they need and that there is a natural relationship between nurses and law enforcement professionals that can be built upon for the benefit of victims in our community, Lause observes.
Many of the patients who are treated by forensic nurses are victims of domestic violence, but Mercy Health’s program goes beyond that to include victims of other violent crimes such as domestic violence, non-fatal strangulation, elder abuse, and human trafficking, as well as individuals who experience trauma.
To care for suspected or disclosed child maltreatment, Mercy Health’s forensic nurses also collaborate with Dr. Randall Schlievert, a child abuse expert.
For patients who have been victimized by an act of violence, being in the care of a forensic nurse can be a tremendous source of comfort—especially to those who have not been given the support they need at other facilities and, as a result, may feel reluctant to seek help. When seeing a forensic nurse, they can expect to have their experiences validated and to hear affirming comments such as, “Thank you for coming in today” and “You’re very brave for seeking help.”
“Also, for patients who are the victims of ongoing domestic violence or abuse, coming to see us presents the opportunity to leave the relationship, which is a much more complex decision and requires a great deal more support than many people realize. We let them know that violence is not okay and that they don’t deserve to be treated like that. Many of our patients never hear that message before coming here,” says Lause.
While many forensic nursing programs follow an on-call model— meaning victims of violence needing care have to wait for a nurse to be called in—Mercy Health is committed to providing 24/7, comprehensive onsite care. So, a forensic nurse is available the moment a patient walks in the door. In fact, only three other programs in the state of Ohio offer this level of comprehensive care. “We’re proud to be part of this collaborative, community- based effort that includes our team, Mercy Health physicians, spiritual services, advocacy services, law enforcement, the City of Toledo Prevention Office, the courts, and many others. Also, we’re extremely grateful to Mercy Health and our sister hospital in Virginia, both of which have done a fabulous job in supporting our program,” Lause states.
Mercy Health’s forensic nursing program is currently located at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center, but Lause hopes to see the program expand to encompass the entire Toledo market area. Though patients are commonly connected to the program after coming to the ER or via referral from local domestic violence shelters, anyone interested can also call the program directly at 419-251-3268 to learn more about the services offered. ✲
