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Rebecca Voelker

JAMA. 2000;283:2096.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

After nearly three decades of operation, the number of programs using forensic nurse examiners to treat the survivors of sexual assault has grown exponentially. However, a number of inconsistencies remain in the medical services they provide.

In the April Annals of Emergency Medicine, researchers from Summa Health System and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, both in Akron, offered the first widespread survey of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs throughout the United States. Of 58 programs that responded, 55% had been in operation less than 5 years and 16% began more than 10 years ago.

About three fourths of the programs are affiliated with a hospital emergency department, police department, or rape crisis center. More than half conduct examinations in the emergency department or an in-hospital clinic or office. The median number of patients seen annually was 95.

All but one of the programs required specific . . . [Full Text of this Article]