Forensic Center of Excellence
On April 24th, UCHealth will open a first-of-its-kind Forensic Center of Excellence (FCOE) embedded within the Emergency Department of UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central. This space will enable the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) team to provide direct patient care in an environment that incorporates trauma-informed design elements with dedicated space for advocacy services and access to law enforcement. In addition, this space allows for education and preceptorship opportunities and a dedicated telehealth space in order to expand access to expert forensic care throughout Colorado.
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Sarah Hagedorn, MSN, RN, CCRN, SANE-A, SANE-P, Clinical Manager, SANE/SAFE Project Director gives a tour of the Forensic Center of Excellence while under construction.
forensic exams provided at UCHealth Memorial Hospital last year
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What is a “Center of Excellence”?
Centers of excellence, are defined as specialized programs within healthcare institutions which supply exceptionally high concentrations of expertise and related resources centered on particular medical areas and delivered in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary fashion. Additionally, many CoE definitions include innovation as a key component.
UCHealth Memorial’s FNE program is a high volume, longstanding department that provides comprehensive care to all victims of violence. Over half of the FNE team members carry one or more Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certifications, this is emblematic of their commitment to excellence and professional nursing practice. Members of the FNE team present and teach at the local, state and national level and several team members have published in professional journals. The FNE team is deeply embedded in our community and have relationships with our community partners and the multidisciplinary team.
For the past decade, UCHealth Memorial’s FNE program has provided high quality, state-wide education free of charge to the entire state of Colorado. The expansion to teleSANE services reflects not only their commitment to ensuring that all patients in Colorado, regardless of location, receive the highest quality care, but is a great example of innovation. Additionally, the FNE team engages in nursing research in order to increase the body of knowledge for forensic nursing and improve patient care.
Partners of the FCOE
TESSA
Safe Passage
Colorado Springs Police Department
El Paso County Sheriff’s Department
Colorado Department of Public Safety
United States Office for Victims of Crime
Communities Served via teleSANE
Montrose, Telluride, Salida, Vail, Steamboat Springs, Craig, Cortez, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Trinidad, Burlington, Hugo, Springfield and Lamar