Every year it seems like more new specialists operate in the medical field. It can be hard to keep up with what your medical center needs and where it can focus on other areas. With domestic violence seemingly on the rise due to COVID-19, a sexual assault nurse examiner who has training in strangulation is needed now more than ever. You might not even realize just how many cases are slipping under your noses without proper treatment or help offered. Here are a few reasons why a sexual assault nurse examiner (strangulation SANE) could help your medical center and your local community.

A Lot of Victims Don't Show Physical Signs

With such a hectic hospital environment these days, it can be easy to overlook less obvious signs of strangulation and try to keep your patients moving through your system at a steady rate. Many women who have been strangled do not present with actual bruising, especially if this has been going on for a while. If they are not totally forthcoming with the information, as many victims of domestic violence are not, then there is a very good chance they will pass through your safety net and return to a dangerous home life. A strangulation SANE can spot the signs of strangulation, as well as many other minor signs of sexual assault, with much greater accuracy than virtually all other medical practitioners.

Injuries Can Get Worse at Any Time

Strangulation is not something to take lightly, and those who have suffered through it may not even realize how much danger they are in. The crushing of the neck can do long-term damage even if it was only for a very short time, and it is so important that the patient is properly examined and monitored for a time. There have been cases of people dying hours or even a few days after one incident where they seemed totally fine in the immediate aftermath only to later get much worse.

Increase Your Staff's Awareness

The benefit of getting a strangulation SANE in your workplace is not just the experience they can provide, but also the information they can instill in others. They will make sure everyone gets better at identifying the signs of domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation, which can lead to much better treatment and outcomes for those who are most vulnerable. If you want your medical center to become a true refuge for the sick and broken then you must get a sexual assault nurse examiner on your payroll.