Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 10 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Part 4 › Subtitle 27 - BOARD OF NURSING › Chapter 10.27.21 - Registered Nurse - Forensic Nurse Examiner › Section 10.27.21.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				  the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Alternate light source (ALS)" means
				  equipment that produces visible and invisible light at various wave lengths to
				  enhance the visualization of evidence.
(2) "Board" means the Board of
				  Nursing.
(3) "Chain of custody"
				  means a written list identifying, without interruption or lapse, every
				  individual having control or possession of specified items or
				  evidence.
(4) "Chaperone" means an
				  individual who does not perform any part of the forensic examination but is
				  present during the course of that examination.
(5) "Clinical preceptor" means an RN-FNE educator or
				  physician who has credentials and experience in forensic
				  examinations.
(6) "Education"
				  means:
(a) Giving presentations, including
				  mentored clinical presentations;
(b) Attending conferences or
				  seminars;
(c) Completing accredited
				  professional computerized or periodical learning modules; and
(d) Participating in the facility evaluation
				  or audit process.
(7)
				  'FNE program" means a facility authorized by the Department of Health and
				  Mental Hygiene to provide forensic nursing services.
(8) "Forensic evidentiary examination" means
				  an examination for the purpose of gathering, labeling, preserving, and handling
				  evidence that includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Photographic and written descriptive
				  documentation of the findings;
(b)
				  A general health and assault history interview; and
(c) A physical assessment which may include,
				  but is not limited to:
(i) Skin surface
				  examination;
(ii) Oral
				  examination;
(iii) Genital
				  examination;
(iv) Anal examination;
				  and
(v) Speculum vaginal
				  examination.
(9) "Gynecological Urological teaching
				  associate (GUTA)" means an adult who is trained to teach techniques for
				  performing gender-specific physical examination to health care trainees, using
				  self as a demonstration and practice model with emphasis on teaching from the
				  patient perspective.
(10)
				  "Multistate licensure privilege" has the meaning set forth in COMAR
				  10.27.01MB.
(11) "Peer review"
				  means a process by which an RN-FNE's clinical examination and documentation is
				  reviewed by one or more peers who are authorized to perform the duties of an
				  RN-FNE.
(12) "Physician" means an
				  individual licensed to practice medicine in this State.
(13) "Practice guideline" means a written
				  documentation that details the standards of care and practice protocols the
				  facility has established to guide the practice of the RN-FNE.
(14) "Program coordinator" means an RN-FNE
				  designated by the facility to manage and oversee the FNE program.
(15) "Proper authority" means a
				  representative of law enforcement, adult or child protective services, or the
				  jurisdictional authority for a minor or mentally incapacitated
				  individual.
(16) "Refresher course"
				  means a curriculum that:
(a) Includes didactic
				  and clinical education; and
(b)
				  Meets the practice requirements for reinstatement of certification as an
				  RN-FNE.
(17) "Registered
				  nurse" means an individual who:
(a) Is
				  licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; or
(b) Has a multistate licensure privilege to
				  practice registered nursing.
(18) "RN-FNE" means a registered nurse
				  forensic nurse examiner certified by the Board.
(19) "RN-FNE
				  Educator" means an individual who:
(a) Has a
				  current:
(i) License to practice as a
				  registered nurse in Maryland;
(ii)
				  Multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse
				  Licensure Compact; or
(iii)
				  Registered Nurse Forensic Examiner - Adult and Pediatric (RN-FNE-AP);
				  and
(b) Is certified
				  under this chapter as a:
(i) Registered Nurse
				  Forensic Examiner - Adult (RN-FNE-A);
(ii) Registered Nurse Forensic Examiner -
				  Pediatric (RN-FNE-P); or
(iii)
				  Registered Nurse Forensic Examiner - Adult and Pediatric (RN-FNE-AP); and
(c) Is qualified to
				  teach the theoretical and clinical portions of the RN-FNE training program.
(20) "RN-FNE-A" means a
				  registered nurse certified by the Board to practice as a forensic nurse
				  examiner with respect to forensic examinations performed on adults and
				  individuals 13 years old or older.
(21) "RN-FNE-P" means a forensic nurse
				  examiner-pediatric who is certified by the Board to practice as a forensic
				  nurse examiner with respect to examinations of children who are younger than 13
				  years old.
(22) "RN-FNE-AP" means a
				  registered nurse certified by the Board to practice as a forensic nurse
				  examiner with respect to examinations of individuals of all ages.
(23) "SAFE" means a registered nurse who was
				  certified by the Board before December 13, 1999, as a sexual assault forensic
				  examiner under this chapter.
(24)
				  "SANE" means a registered nurse who has successfully completed a program which
				  meets the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Standards of Practice established by
				  the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
(25) "SANE-A" means a forensic nurse examiner
				  certified by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) to perform
				  a forensic evidentiary examination on adults and individuals 13 years old or
				  older.
(26) "SANE-P" means a
				  forensic nurse examiner certified by the IAFN to perform a forensic evidentiary
				  examination on children who are younger than 13 years of age.
(27) "Simulation" means the utilization of an
				  adult anatomically correct manikin or a GUTA in the performance of a forensic
				  evidentiary examination.
(28)
				  "Training program" means the instructional process utilizing the standardized
				  curriculum approved by the Board.