UnityPoint Health - Meriter - Forensic Nurse Examiner Program

202 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
608-417-5916

Current Hours: Open 24 hours

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Number of patients waiting reflects the current number of patients waiting to be seen. This number changes frequently and is not exact.

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Forensic Nurse Examiners Program

The Forensic Nurse Examiners Program (formerly known as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program or SANE) at UnityPoint Health – Meriter strives to help victims of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence begin the healing process. Since 1988, the Forensic Nurse Examiners Program has provided care to more than 10,000 victims of all ages, genders, races and populations.

Hours & Directions

Located within the Emergency Department at UnityPoint Health – Meriter hospital, the Forensic Nurse Examiners Program provides care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the only program of its kind in Dane County.
Patients & Visitors

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours


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Patients & Visitors
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Expert Staff

The Forensic Nurse Examiners Program is staffed by registered nurses who have advanced education and instruction in medical-forensic examination and in psychological and emotional trauma. Forensic nurses are available to speak to groups and organizations and may also provide testimony in a court of law.

Care Provided

We recognize this is a frightening, traumatic time for victims. Our forensic nurses will provide a safe, compassionate exam and empower the patient to determine their plan of care, including:

  • Emotional support
  • Physical examination and wellness check
  • Collection of medical-forensic evidence
  • Assistance with reporting the crime to police, when requested (mandatory reporting for children)
  • Assistance with concerns about sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy
  • Assistance with safety planning
  • Development of a medical follow-up plan

Follow-Up Care

After the exam, a forensic nurse will call the patient to discuss any lab test results and may refer the patient to professionals who can provide additional services including:

  • The Dane County Rape Crisis Center for assistance with crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling.
  • The Crime Victim Compensation Fund, which provides reimbursement for medical care, clothing, time lost on the job and other losses as a result of the assault.
  • Health care providers for follow-up medical care. With the patient's consent, the Forensic Nurse Examiners Program will provide all lab and exam results to the primary care provider.

Insurance/Patient Fees

Meriter accepts all commercial insurance providers such as Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation, Dean Health Plan, Group Health Cooperative, UnitedHealthcare and Unity Health Plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.

If a patient has insurance, but prefers not to use it, due to confidentiality reasons, or is uninsured, the hospital can apply for reimbursement through the WI SAFE Fund. The SAFE Fund is a program that can provide financial assistance for the cost of a forensic medical exam for victims of sexual assault.

If the patient does not have medical coverage, he or she may be eligible for assistance from the Crime Victim Compensation Fund or the Uncompensated Care Program through Meriter. However, Meriter will help all patients regardless of his or her ability to pay.

A referral is not needed to be seen by a forensic nurse.

Community Support

The Forensic Nurse Examiners Program is a community effort financially supported by:

Visit the UnityPoint Health - Meriter Foundation to support the important work this program provides to those in need.

Resources & FAQ

Resources

Resources for Patients
Resources for Medical Professionals

Forensic Nurse Examiners Program welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with medical professionals from all disciplines. Due to the highly specialized care that is required for patients of sexual assault, forensic nurse examiners are available for questions, consults and exams. Regardless of when the assault occurred, the Forensic Nursing Program recommends contacting the program to discuss a collaboration of services, coordinated care, and other recommendations. 

Follow-Up Care
At discharge, we encourage patients to follow-up with his or her primary care provider. With the patient's consent, the Forensic Nurse Examiners Program will provide all lab and exam results.

Forensic Nurse Examiners Program recommends the following care:

  • HIV testing
  • Syphilis testing
  • Vaccine assessment
  • Emotional wellness
  • Health assessment

Presentations
Forensic nurses are available to speak to groups and organizations and may also provide expert testimony in a court of law.

Patient Handout
You are welcome to print and provide this handout to patients you are referring to the Forensic Nurse Examiners Program at UnityPoint Health – Meriter.

FNE services are always OPTIONAL. If a victim is a legally consenting adult, they are not required to have an FNE exam completed, evidence collected, or to meet with a Forensic Nurse.

Resources for Law Enforcement & Child Protection Services

Forensic Nurse Examiners Program welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with law enforcement and child protection services from all counties. Due to the highly specialized care that is required for patients of sexual assault, forensic nurses are available for questions, consults and exams. Regardless of when the assault occurred, the Forensic Nursing Program recommends contacting the program to discuss a collaboration of services, coordinated care, and other recommendations.

However, to obtain forensic physical findings, it is best the examination is performed as soon as possible.

Evidence Collection

  • Evidence for the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit can be collected up to 120 hours after the assault. Any questions about the time frame, please call us at (608) 417-5916.
  • Injury documentation including photography
  • Strangulation forensic documentation including photography

Additional Services
Forensic nurses are also trained in:

  • Suspect exams
  • Child physical abuse - Focused exam and documentation of injuries at the request of The Child Protection Program at American Family Childrens Hospital.
  • Elder abuse

Currently, the Meriter FNE program is only able to document injuries from suspected child abuse. The FNE program currently does not assist in coroner cases.

Presentations
Forensic nurses are available to speak to groups and organizations and may also provide expert testimony in a court of law.

Patient Handout
You are welcome to print and provide this handout to patients you are referring to the Forensic Nurse Examiner Program at UnityPoint Health – Meriter.

FNE services are always OPTIONAL. If a victim is a legally consenting adult, they are not required to have an FNE exam completed, evidence collected, or to meet with a Forensic Nurse.

FAQ

Was this sexual assault?
My friend didn't want to have sex, but she didn't fight back or yell.
Sexual assault is when someone has sex with you when you don't want to. It's common to "freeze" and not fight or yell. It's also common not to have injuries after an assault. If you are impaired from drugs or alcohol and don't say yes, it's sexual assault – even if you can't remember the details.

She knows him and he's a really nice guy, but she said no.
If you didn't consent, there's no excuse for the other person to continue. The vast majority of sexual assaults occur by someone we know.
Will forensic nurses call my parents, Dean of Students or the police?

No. Forensic Nurses will not contact anyone without your consent if:

  • If you are over the age of 18 years old
    • And all the following apply:
      • You are not considered a vulnerable patient population (child, elder, and/or disabled).
      • A weapon was not used to cause injury during the assault.
      • You do not wish to report the crime to Law Enforcement at the time of the exam.
      • You do not consent to information being shared.

Program funding covers the cost of SANE exams, so insurance is not needed. Forensic nurses will provide medical care even if you don't report the crime.

As mandated reporters, certain situations require the FNE to contact outside organizations including Law Enforcement, CPS, and/or APS.

Will I receive care if I know who sexually assaulted me?
Yes. Many of the assault victims forensic nurses see (approx. 400/year) know their perpetrator. It is your decision whether or not to tell the nurse the person's name.
Will I receive care if I was drinking and can't remember what happened?
Yes. Many patients have a limited or no memory of the assault. Alcohol and other drugs can make it difficult to recall the details. It is okay and normal to not remember the details of an assault whether other substances were involved. This should not prevent you from receiving care.

Forensic Nurse Examiners will not call the police if you were drinking and/or underage unless mandated to do by law (i.e., an assault to a minor, vulnerable population, injury caused be a lethal weapon during the assault). However, you will be treated as the victim of a crime regardless of the use of substances either voluntarily or involuntarily.
How can you help?
Don't question your friend's actions.
Being assaulted is never your fault or your friend's fault.

Be supportive.
Your support can have a positive impact on your friend's recovery.
How can we help?