NCJ Number
225292
Journal
Forensic Examiner Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2008 Pages: 20-23
Date Published
2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reports on a literature review of research on SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) peer review programs, followed by an outline of reasons for having SANE peer review programs and advice on how to start such a program.
Abstract
SANE programs are well established as a means of having specially trained nurses evaluate and treat patients who report sexual assaults. For the purposes of this article, “SANE peer review” is defined as “the review of the sexual assault report by an expert in the field of sexual assault that would include review of the photo-documentation.” Although it is generally accepted that a SANE program should have a well-defined and consistent peer review process, the literature review found only two scientific literature sources that mentioned peer review specific to SANE practice. The strongest reason for doing SANE peer review is for the educational benefit of the individual SANE and/or the entire team. Other reasons for peer review are to build trust that the SANE program produces unbiased and well-prepared reports. Peer reviewers also add objectivity to the SANE process, since they view the photographs and documentation of the examining SANE removed from interaction with the patient, which may cause SANE examiners to assume an advocacy role on behalf of the patient. In starting a SANE peer review program, issues to be addressed are the qualifications of the reviewer, the development of policy and procedure for the peer review process, the determination of who will coordinate the peer review process, and the establishment of a procedure for evaluating the effectiveness of the peer review process itself. A 6-item bibliography