New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Chapter V - Medical Facilities › Subchapter C - State Hospital Code › Article 3 - Hospital Operation › Part 722 - Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (safe) Programs › Section 722.6 - Program standards

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) The
					 hospital shall ensure that the following minimum requirements are met
					 throughout the period of its designation as a SAFE Program:
(1) appropriate administrative and clinical
					 oversight is provided to the program;
(2) SAFE Programs are affiliated with and
					 integrated into the policies and procedures and operations of related areas of
					 the hospital, particularly emergency services;
(3) initial and ongoing assessment of
					 competency and credentialing of SAFE staff is conducted, including
					 certification of sexual assault forensic examiners by the department;
(4) effective systems to provide triage and
					 assessment are incorporated;
(5)
					 effective on-call and back-up call schedules have been developed to ensure that
					 the patient is met by a sexual assault forensic examiner within 60 minutes of
					 patient's arrival in the hospital except:
(i)
					 when the patient does not disclose a sexual assault at the time of triage;
					 or
(ii) under exigent
					 circumstances;
(6) the
					 rape crisis center is contacted immediately to ensure that a rape crisis
					 advocate is available to offer services to the patient;
(7) medical/surgical backup is readily
					 available to the sexual assault forensic examiner;
(8) an appropriately equipped, private,
					 designated room with access to a shower that can accommodate patients with
					 disabilities is available when needed for sexual assault exams;
(9) medical treatment and forensic
					 examinations of sexual assault survivors are provided in compliance with all
					 relevant laws and regulations and consistent with generally accepted standards
					 of care, including standards such as those incorporated in the Department's
					 Protocol for the Acute Care of the Adult Patient Reporting Sexual Assault (as
					 currently posted on the DOH website at
					 www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/sexual_assault/index.htm);
(10) prophylaxis for sexually transmitted
					 diseases, HIV and hepatitis B, and prophylaxis against pregnancy resulting from
					 a sexual assault (emergency contraception) are provided on site;
(11) the New York State Sexual Offense
					 Evidence Collection Kit is used, unless a patient or person authorized to
					 consent on the patient's behalf refuses to have evidence collected; and
					 evidence is maintained and collected as required by Public Health Law, section
					 2805-i;
(12) replacement clothing
					 is provided to the patient, if necessary, before the patient leaves the
					 hospital;
(13) referral and
					 follow-up regarding medical treatment is provided;
(14) the patient is referred to counseling
					 and support and other needed services;
(15) safe discharge is reasonably assured for
					 the patient;
(16) medical and
					 forensic SAFE services are appropriately documented;
(17) information is collected related to the
					 provision of services to survivors of sexual assault and confidentiality of the
					 data is ensured; and
(18) an
					 effective system of continuous quality improvement is established to ensure
					 SAFE medical and forensic services are in compliance with generally accepted
					 standards of care.