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Pierce-Weeks, J. and Campbell, P. (2008) The Challenges Forensic Nurses Face When Their Patient Is Comatose: Addressing the Needs of Our Most Vulnerable Patient Population. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 4, 104-110.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Evidence Collection for the Unconscious and Unconsented Patient

  AUTHORS: Rose Constantino, Carol Stewart, Polly Campbell, Barbara Moynihan, Susan Kagan, Patricia Daugherty, Kathleen Thimsen, Lynda Tiefel, Colleen O’Brien, Jennifer Johnson

  KEYWORDS: Forensics; Forensic Nursing; Sexual Assault; Ethical Considerations in Sexual Assault; Legal Aspect of Sexual Assault; Informed Consent in Sexual Assault

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Nursing, Vol.4 No.4, April 18, 2014

  ABSTRACT: Forensic nurses are faced with making an ethical decision when an unconscious patient presents with signs of sexual assault. If the patient is unable to consent, the nurses need to decide whether or not to perform a forensic exam. Hospitals have policies in place regarding consent for emergency care, but not all of them consider the collection of forensic evidence. The window of opportunity for forensic collection may disappear before contacts are made or proper consent is established. Ethical, legal, and policy considerations that complicate this scenario are discussed.