The Mercy Medical Center (MMC) Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) Program is the designated sexual assault and domestic violence center for Baltimore City. MMC has a team of approximately 30 specially trained FNEs available 24/7, 365 days yearly to care for victims of violence, including sexual assault, domestic violence, elder/institutional abuse, vulnerable populations abuse, neglect and maltreatment
, in persons aged 13 and older. Traditionally patients experiencing sexual assault and/or domestic violence are seen in an Emergency Department by multiple healthcare providers, which results in an extended length of stay. As part of our program, patients are seen by a specially-trained FNE, resulting in a typically shorter length of stay. Under the FNE's care, the average hospital stay is two to four hours, whereas length of stay was previously a minimum of six to ten hours. The MMC FNE Program also provides evidentiary exams at other hospitals in the Baltimore region for victims who are medically unstable for transport - these exams are conducted upon request. Given the physical and emotional trauma of these violent crimes, victims often benefit greatly from the comprehensive services provided by the program. Both ED and FNE program services are provided to patients FREE OF CHARGE when a FNE examination is performed. Individuals NOT wishing to have evidence collected are seen solely by the ED providers and are therefore billed in accordance with standard hospital procedure. To note, the FNE program works collaboratively with criminal justice agencies and other Baltimore organizations to address the needs of victims of violence. Referrals to the FNE program are made by various criminal justice agencies, Baltimore's Child Abuse Center (BCAC), Baltimore City Public Schools, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, private physicians, and other health care institutions, to name a few. Patients may also enter the ED independently seeking treatment. As part of these collaborations, the MMC FNEs do provide expert witness testimony at the courts request, as well as community education. Beginning in 2009, Mercy’s FNE Program began the “Jane Doe” or “Blind Reporting” Project. This project ensures that federal requirements are met, allowing victims of sexual assault (regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, etc.) to have the same excellent forensic nursing/medical care along with evidence collection, without immediately reporting to law enforcement. All evidence and reports are maintained in a secured locker on-site for up to 16 months from the time of the examination. This time frame allows the patient precious time to regain decision-making capability while maintaining valuable evidence preservation when/if the patient decides to report to law enforcement. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
