COVID-19 Hospital Protocols

COVID-19 HOSPITAL RESPONSE PROTOCOL OUTLINE

Hospitals are expected to continue to call Northwest CASA Advocates (888-802-8890) for every sexual violence case that presents in the Emergency Department.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (3/16/2020): Northwest CASA Advocates will be providing Medical Advocacy responses via phone until further notice when hospitals restrict access to the ER.

Advocates will call the hospital and speak with either the Charge Nurse or the Nurse who is working with the victim.

Advocates will then ask the nurse to speak with the victim regarding services, this should be completed prior to the victim starting the Evidence Collection Kit

Pursuant to Illinois statute, Advocates will continue to address the following information to victims via phone:

Answer any questions or concerns the victim may have

Evidence Collection Consent (Options A, B, & C*)

Hospital Billing Protocol

Voucher**

Crime Victims Compensation***

Explain programs and services

Explain we will follow-up after the hospital

K Numbers – NEW!!!

Hospital should be providing a K Number (Kit Tracking Number) to those who choose to collect evidence

Ask nurse if they have provided the victim with a K Number (DO NOT ASK FOR THE NUMBER. JUST CONFIRM IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE VICTIM.)

K Numbers are located on the bottom of the evidence collection kit

Hospitals should follow their protocols when assigning k number to patient

REMINDERS:

Northwest CASA Advocates will be given permission by all hospitals to speak directly to the victim. The victim has the right to decline or speak to the advocate via phone.

Our advocates are here to help the hospital staff as well, any questions regarding evidence collection will be happily answered.

The above protocol will temporarily fulfill SASETA Rape Crisis Center MOU requirements until further notice. The protocol will be re-addressed until Coronavirus is under control and advocates can safely return to Emergency Departments.

*See Advocacy Quick Reference Guide for more information.