CCH Offers Compassionate Support for Victims of Sexual Assault with Specialized SANE Program

GILLETTE, Wyo. - Nov. 13, 2024 - Campbell County Health (CCH) offers compassionate, trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual assault through its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, providing critical support and specialized services 24/7.

Led by CCH SANE Coordinator, Katelyn Hook, BSN, RN, SANE-A, GFN-C, the program offers trainings to ED staff and are dedicated to assisting patients affected by sexual assault. Emergency department staff are committed to offering care, resources, and support tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

“The number one thing we want people who have been affected by sexual assault to know is that there’s a safe place for them to come to at the hospital,” said Katelyn, who has extensive experience in forensic nursing.

Katelyn emphasizes that the goal of a SANE exam is far more than collecting evidence: it’s about meeting patients where they are, providing support, and connecting them with resources to help them on their healing journey. Each SANE exam begins with a discussion to assess the patient's needs and wishes. If a patient decides to make a report to law enforcement, a SANE or ED nurse will help facilitate this and provide support. However, patients are informed they are not required to report to law enforcement (with exceptions such as when the patient is a minor), and any exam conducted is guided by their choices.

Evidence collection must occur within seven days of an assault and is an important factor in filing a report. However, for patients who are unsure about reporting, the State of Wyoming offers an anonymous evidence collection option that allows them to preserve evidence in case they decide to file a report in the future. Katelyn stresses the importance of this fact, because it provides a patient with additional options.

During a SANE exam, SANE nurses and ED staff will provide a comprehensive examination, including a head-to-toe assessment to document and address any injuries. They also facilitate lab work, imaging, preventive medication if needed, and follow-up care. CCH’s SANE program also ensures that patients are connected to vital community resources such as the Gillette Abuse and Refuge Foundation (GARF).

Katelyn spent much of her career at the University of Colorado where she discovered a passion for forensic nursing and quickly recognized the importance of this specialized support. She joined the CCH team last year and formally assumed her current role earlier this summer.

“It’s a very specialized role that can feel overwhelming if you don’t have the training or experience,” she explained, adding that SANE programs are just as important in rural areas like Northeast Wyoming as they are in larger cities.

“Some of the bravest patients I have ever worked with are those who have been affected by sexual assault. It takes courage to come to the hospital after something like that,” said Katelyn. “We’re here to help patients take those very first steps toward healing.”

About Campbell County Health (CCH): An affiliate of UCHealth, CCH includes an acute care community hospital in Gillette Wyoming; Campbell County Medical Group with nearly 20 clinics; The Legacy Living & Rehabilitation Center long-term care center and the Powder River Surgery Center. With around 80 providers, 1,200 total staff and over 20 specialties, CCH is committed to serving our community by providing a lifetime of care with dedication, skill and compassion.

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