Newsletters

POSTED: March 23rd, 2026
POSTED IN: 2026 EM Pulse Q1, EM Pulse - The Official Newsletter of MOCEP, forum, Forum Topic,

Written by: Jeanise Butterfield, MD, FACEP

If your ED is fortunate enough to have sexual assault forensic nurse examiners (SANEs) available, you may not have heard about SAFEvT – a network for Sexual Assault Forensic Exams via Telehealth. Over the last several years, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Office on Women’s Health has worked to create and implement SAFEvT. This network allows survivors of sexual assault presenting to Missouri hospitals access to sexual assault forensic experts via telehealth. Prior to implementation, less than half of Missouri communities had access to local SANE services. SANEs receive specialized training which includes injury recognition, evidence collection and preservation techniques, and trauma-informed care methodology. Involving SANEs in post-assault care has been shown to improve outcomes in several ways including improved patient experience, more rapid recovery, increased success rates for DNA collection, higher rates of reporting, and engagement in the legal process. With just the touch of a button, SAFEvT brings all the expertise of a SANE to you and the sexual assault survivors you serve via telehealth.