Phelps Health Leads the Way on State Sexual Assault Telehealth Program

Phelps Health is the first health system in Missouri to perform a live sexual assault exam using the state’s dedicated telehealth network.

This milestone was made possible through the Missouri Justice for Survivors TeleSANE Program, a critical statewide initiative that provides 24/7 specialized telehealth support for sexual assault examinations. The program connects healthcare providers — often in rural or underserved areas — with trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). These expert nurses guide local healthcare professionals in conducting forensic exams, collecting evidence and delivering trauma-informed care to survivors.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) estimates that one in three women and one in seven men in Missouri have been victims of sexual violence. To address this issue, the DHSS was tasked to create the Justice for Survivors Act Statewide Telehealth Network for Forensic Examinations of Victims of Sexual Offenses Program (SB 569 and Section 192.2520 RSMo) during the 2020 legislative session. Funded in 2022, the TeleSANE Program aims to ensure that all survivors, regardless of location, have access to compassionate, expert care.

“Phelps Health launched a sexual assault program in 2012, and we’ve continued to support it over the years,” said Starlyn Ritter, MA, BSN, SIM coordinator and certified SANE at Phelps Health. "Our nurses don't see enough sexual assault patients annually to maintain their competency in this area, so TeleSANE fills this gap.”

Phelps Health has led the statewide initiative to address this critical need.

“Phelps Health was the first Missouri health system to proactively work with us to go live with the TeleSANE Program,” said Tonya Vega, BSN, RN, CEN, SANE, chief nursing executive for SANE Solutions and Consulting. “In December 2024, Phelps Health completed their first in-person patient exam using the TeleSANE Program, which went extremely well. I’ve completed almost 300 exams, and I can’t tell you one that felt more rewarding.”

This initial exam involved Tonya, Starlyn and Phelps Health Nurse Shannon Herode, RN, BSN.

“I was on a screen, and Star was there to support Shannon,” Tonya said. “I was able to watch Shannon collect the evidence and make sure everything was documented correctly. You might think it wouldn't flow well, but it went smoothly. We fed off each other’s strengths to support each other and, most importantly, support our patient.”

“This program benefits our community by improving access to timely and specialized care for sexual assault survivors,” added Hannah Maedgen, MSN, BSN-RN, director of Emergency Services at Phelps Health.

Key benefits include:  

• Immediate expert support available 24/7: TeleSANE provides real-time virtual consultations with SANEs, ensuring survivors receive specialized care.
• Enhanced evidence collection: With expert guidance from SANE Solutions and Consulting, Phelps Health nurses can conduct more accurate forensic exams, improving the quality of evidence collection for legal cases.
• Survivor-centered care: This program ensures that victims receive compassionate, trauma-informed care in an attempt to reduce the emotional distress survivors may face during an exam.
• Staff retention: Sexual assault exams are stressful, and if a nurse isn’t adequately prepared, the nurse may leave the exam feeling defeated. With TeleSANE, the nurses have an expert on hand, ensuring every victim receives the highest level of care.

Phelps Health has also led the way in TeleSANE education, investing in training for the organization and beyond. To date, Phelps Health has created and provided the only in-person sexual assault telehealth training in the state. Between October and December 2024, 92 nurses (38 from Phelps Health) and four providers from 15 other hospitals across the state attended this accredited training.

“Some hospitals were hesitant about our program at first,” Tonya said. “But after attending the hands-on training at Phelps Health, their confidence grew. This overwhelmingly positive response wouldn’t have happened with an online course, and that credit goes to Starlyn. As the primary nurse planner for the approved provider unit, she was accountable for the required ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) documentation.”

With TeleSANE, Phelps Health can now provide 24/7 care and sexual assault exams for victims ages 14 and older. Before this program launched, these victims would have to be transferred to St. Louis or Springfield. Now, victims can stay closer to home.

If a victim under 14 comes into the ED, the program guides ED staff in arranging the best transfer or next appointment for the child.
 
Additionally, TeleSANE supports Phelps Health’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare to all patients.

“With this program and the state’s support, our ED nurses now have specialized and experienced SANEs on hand for all sexual assault exams,” said Keri Brookshire-Heavin, senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Phelps Health. “We are proud to lead this critical health initiative.”