Results of the implementation of a protocol of attention to victims of sexual assault in emergencies of a reference tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: To assess the degree of compliance of the Comprehensive Health and Judicial Care Protocol for Victims of Sexual Assaults attended in Emergencies, and to compare the quality indicators of care with those obtained for the 2 years prior to its implementation.

Methods: Retrospective, comparative, cohort study of the 128 victims (124 women and 4 men), aged 4 to 62 years, treated in the Hospital Emergency Department, before and after the publication of the Protocol through the CIE-10 diagnostic code T74.2 Sexual assault and CIE-10 T76.2 Suspected sexual assault, between January 2018 and December 2020. The sample was divided into two groups, before (n=80) and after (n=48) the implementation of the protocol. A sub-analysis of 109 women older than 16 years attended in the Gynecological Emergencies has been performed.

Results: The implementation of the Protocol has led to a significant increase in the compliance with the main indicators, more evident in Gynecological Emergencies: HIV prophylaxis (43.4% vs 83.7%, respectively in the Pre and Post-protocol Groups), pregnancy prophylaxis (54.5% vs 81.4%), police intervention (48.5% vs 74.4%) and SIVIO form compliance (16.7% vs 46.5%). Attention time has not shown significant changes. The referral for psychological support has been increased by a very low percentage (0% vs 12.5%).

Conclusions: The implementation of the Protocol has led to an evident improvement in the quality of care in Emergencies, with a significant increase in key indicators. Care time in Emergencies should be reduced, and the SIVIO form compliance, as well as the referral for psychological support should be increased.