Today, Wednesday, October 10, marks both the annual Health Cares about Domestic Violence Day (HCADV) and Emergency Nurses Day.
HCADV Day is a nationally-recognized day to raise awareness of the long-term effects of domestic violence on a person's health and to promote universal education to help victims and survivors. Domestic violence and abuse can lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, smoking, diabetes, and obesity.
Emergency nurses work hard every day of the year to save their patients' lives. The dedicated professionals who serve as emergency nurses deserve recognition for the great strength they exhibit to provide the best possible care to their patients in high-pressure situations. Earlier this year, Reading Hospital's Emergency Department was one of just 19 emergency departments in the country honored with the Emergency Nurses Association's 2018 Lantern Award, recognizing their exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. The Reading Hospital emergency department ranks as one of the busiest single-site emergency departments in the U.S., with more than 135,000 visits annually, and its nursing staff not only keeps up with the high volume of patients but also drives the department's constant development of new processes to improve the patient experience.
Reading Hospital has several programs in place to support victims of Domestic Violence:
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) - Reading Hospital Emergency Department has 15 nurses that have received special training in administering forensic rape kits to sexual assault victims, as well as how to care for the victims medically and psychologically. All Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners have completed extensive training in forensic examination, STI screening and treatment, pregnancy prophylaxis, and how to provide testimony in court. SANE nurses are available in the Emergency Department at Reading Hospital 24/7.
- Education event - On Tuesday, October 16, Reading Hospital's Domestic Violence Committee will hold an informative event with SafeBerks to hand out educational information and answer questions. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Education Rooms C & D. All are welcome to attend and help to increase awareness of domestic violence issues.
- Sole Survivors - Reading Hospital is collecting gently-used or new shoes to donate to survivors of domestic abuse. This includes footwear for men, women, and children. Shoes should be in good condition without visible tears or holes. All styles of footwear will be accepted. The Sole Survivors campaign will run until October 25. Drop-off locations throughout the rest of the month include:
- Reading Hospital, S-Building, Second Floor, Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Reading Hospital, Women's Health Center, B-Building, First Floor, Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Reading Hospital, Human Resources, M-Building, Second Floor, Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- 560 Van Reed Road, Suite 101, Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.