Interpreting Toxicology and Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault – Part 2

Patients/Survivors often face a plethora of issues after a sexual assault. One issue being able to access proper healthcare and obtain a complete medical-forensic examination, that including toxicology screening and testing after a report of potential DFSA. Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs)/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) receive general training on the basics of toxicology testing, but often lack understanding of the physiology of intoxication, the absorption, distribution, and excretion of drugs from the body, the effects of proper education delivered to patients, and the associated costs to conduct toxicology testing. FNEs/SANEs will be able to deliver the knowledge and understanding of reasons why toxicology testing should be completed after a positive screening of their sexual assault patients. Nurses who provide care to sexual assault patients will have knowledge regarding toxicology testing and the physiology of intoxication, to be able to provide competent care based on the evidence and history of DFSA. Participants will be able to understand the complexity of absorption, distribution, and excretion of common drugs associated with a DFSA, articulate the physiology of common drugs associated with DFSA, and apply a basic understanding of DFSA patient-based case scenarios.

Presented by: Jennifer Sommers, Deputy Chief – Office of the New York State Attorney General


The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.


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