The forensic nurses at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, who treat about 160 patients each year, now have the best technology available.
Their patients are victims of crimes, and as such, these nurses play an important role in the justice system. They treat and document the trauma experienced by victims of violence and abuse, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, elder and child abuse or neglect, and other forms of intentional injury.
Donations to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation has led to the purchase of a Cortexflo camera and lighting system, which is designed to meet the unique photographic, data storage, and security requirements for forensic medical examinations.
Prior to receiving the Cortexflo system, forensic nurses were using a phone and a DSLR camera, but neither provided the image quality, external lighting or secure encrypted data storage required for forensic photography. The Cortexflo meets all of these requirements and makes forensic photography of physical and sexual assault injuries simple, accurate, fast and admissible in court.
Christina Simpson, coordinator of the forensic nursing service, Abbotsford Regional Hospital spoke of how nurses “are seeing a lot of domestic violence cases that involve strangulation or other grievous trauma.”
Nurses provide compassionate care to the victims of violence and abuse, and document and collect evidence that may be used in civil or criminal court proceedings. The service is given at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital, but patients come there from doctor’s offices and emergency departments from Hope, Chilliwack, Mission and Abbotsford. Originally, the service was designed to handle 15 patients a year.
With the increase in violent cases coming through their doors, they are continuing to expand.
“Given the growth in the number of annual cases and the seriousness of many of them, Fraser Health is considering expanding the now on-call Forensic Nursing Service to include some regularised positions to better meet the needs of the community,” Simpson said.
She asked that any nurses in the community interested in joining the team of forensic nurses can find more information in the Fraser Health job postings online.
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