Evergreen Hospital's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (S.A.N.E.)

UPDATED OPINION:  During last week's Evergreen Hospital's Board meeting, staff presented their "Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners' (S.A.N.E.) program.  S.A.N.E. was established three years ago to provide advocacy for Evergreen's Level III Trauma Center patients. 

Evergreen now has 12 active members on the SANE team, each having undergone 40 hours of training.  In 2010 they've advocated  almost 4 cases/month.  In 2009 they had 42 cases.

Several Commissioners talked about expanding the program beyond the Hospital to include high schools within Lake Washington, North Shore, and Riverview School Districts.  Commissioners also considered serving District-based city police departments with SANE services.

The District high schools are presently served with trained counselors to assist physical, emotional, and sexual assault victims.  For example, District high schools contract with Youth Eastside Services (Y.E.S.) for professional counselors.  If SANE hospital trauma care is required, assault victims can be referred to Evergreen. 

The Commission never suggested or implied that SANE receive levy-dollar funding for outreach services.  The Administration later informed me S.A.N.E. is not levy-funded.

Opinion by Bob Yoder

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Evergreen, Overlake, Valley General Renton, and Auburn General hospitals are registered Level III Trauma Centers.  Evergreen has a SANE team.  I don't know if the other three have programs.

Since 1968, Youth Eastside Services has been a lifeline for kids and families in East King County, helping them heal from and avoid drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, depression, violence, and many other life threatening challenges. Young people become healthier, more confident and self-reliant. Quite simply, families become stronger and more caring. We help save lives — 24,000 of them, each and every year.

Youth Eastside Services http://youtheastsideservices/