Emergency department visits in Connecticut for survivors of sexual assault before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Am J Emerg Med
; 67: 97-99, 2023 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2246519
ABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE:
We evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care for survivors of sexual assault in three urban Emergency Departments (ED) in the United States.METHODS:
A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who presented after sexual assault to three EDs during 6-month intervals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We excluded individuals <18 years old. We performed a structured chart review to ascertain demographics, ED treatments, and adherence to guidelines for care of sexual assault survivors.RESULTS:
Of 105 patients who received care after a sexual assault, 57 presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority were female, White/Caucasian, and presented within 120 h of sexual assault. There was an increase in ED presentations for sexual assault during the pandemic. While there was no difference in medical care, there were fewer sexual assault advocates called during the pandemic. In addition, there was an increase in non-White survivors in the first 3 months of the pandemic that did not remain at 6 months.CONCLUSION:
The care of survivors in the ED was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While medical care remained similar, fewer calls to sexual assault advocates, a key component of ED and long-term care of survivors, demonstrate a disruption in their care.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sex Offenses
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Emerg Med
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.ajem.2023.02.010
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