By Susan G. Hill

An unthinkable occurrence in the life of any adult or child -- sexual assault -- is a tragic reality that happens almost every day. When it does, the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Child Abuse Response and Evaluations (CARES) programs are here to provide medical and emotional care and the law enforcement investigation that the patient and community deserve.

Located in a private room at Northern Nevada Medical Center since 2000, SART is a cooperative program among the Washoe County District Attorney, local law enforcement, other community agencies and Northern Nevada Medical Center. The program includes medical care in the hospital's emergency department, evidence collection and emotional support and referrals.

Centralized services
Starting in fall 2007, SART/CARES will have a new headquarters on Northern Nevada Medical Center's campus, thanks to a federal grant secured by Sen. John Ensign, land donated by Northern Nevada Medical Center and its parent company, Universal Health Services, Inc., and the relentless efforts of Washoe County District Attorney Richard Gammick.

"With the opening of this facility for both adult and juvenile victims, we can provide the necessary medical, legal and emotional care they need in one location," said Gammick.

The future facility was celebrated in a community groundbreaking ceremony held Aug. 30 on the building site at the north end of the hospital's campus. The SART/ CARES center will feature adjacent parking and convenient access to the hospital's services while offering a private hillside setting.

"Northern Nevada Medical Center is a proud supporter of the SART/CARES programs and the exceptional services that they provide," said Brandt C. Wright, Northern Nevada Medical Center, CEO. "Having treated victims of violence within the hospital for several years, we are pleased that the programs will soon have a permanent home to call their own."

"This expansion is important because right now we are performing more than 350 examinations a year out of one exam room," said Kim Schweickert, SART/CARES programs coordinator. "The entire center will be designed to make it a more comfortable and easier process for victims and their families."

Northern Nevada Medical Center has been the home of both SART and CARES since 2000, when Northern Nevada Medical Center staff were informed of the area's sexual abuse response programs' need for a consolidated headquarters.

Led by Gammick, a multi-agency task force sought to find the best place possible for victims to be treated -- medically and emotionally -- as well as for evidence collection to take place. The group collaborated to create a new place within the hospital for those most in need of care after a traumatic event.

How the programs work
The system begins with law enforcement officials who, after being notified of an assault, immediately contact the Crisis Call Center. An on-call nurse certified in SART and CARES through a 40-hour training course and a victim advocate then are called to NNMC.

The assault victim is brought to NNMC's emergency department and triaged immediately to the SART/CARES room. The nurse and victim advocate then take care of the patient's medical and psychological needs, along with evidence procedures.

Total program staffing includes a nine-member team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses and doctors. The program is administered cooperatively through the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Sparks Police Department, Crisis Call Center, Washoe County Child Protective Services, University of Nevada Police Department, Washoe County School Police and Washoe County District Health Department.

The new center will offer separate exam rooms for adults and children. The children's rooms will be specially decorated and equipped. "Children and adults have different needs," Schweickert said. The new facility will be part of an initiative to create one center where assault victims can receive care, counseling and other services.

"What we can do as a community for victims ultimately is better for the entire community," Schweickert said. "Our goal is to help victims become survivors, and this new center is a huge step in that direction."

Susan G. Hill is director of marketing at Northern Nevada Medical Center.

Northern Nevada Medical Center 2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434 775-331-7000