St. Luke’s and Penn State partner to expand compassionate, 24/7 sexual assault care through telehealth

St. Luke’s is strengthening access to compassionate, trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual assault through a partnership with Penn State University’s SAFE-T (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination–Telehealth) System. This collaboration ensures patients at St. Luke’s can receive expert sexual assault forensic exams 24 hours a day, seven days a week—close to home and reducing the need to travel outside the community.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are specially trained nurses with extensive experience in providing sexual assault care. Through the SAFE-T System, St. Luke’s connects its onsite clinical teams with highly experienced SANEs via secure telehealth technology. This real-time support guides each step of the exam, emphasizing patient choice, control and confidentiality while following best practices for evidence collection and survivor centered care.

St. Luke’s has implemented the SAFE-T System at its critical access hospitals in Elmore County, Fruitland, McCall, Sun Valley and Jerome, as well as Magic Valley. The SAFE-T System partnership is especially meaningful in rural communities, where hospitals often play a critical role in providing immediate, compassionate care for survivors.

“In a rural setting, maintaining consistent on-site expertise for sexual assaults exams can be challenging,” said Kelly McCormick, associate chief nursing officer for St. Luke’s Elmore. “SAFE-T allows our nurses to partner in real time with experienced forensic nurses, which increases our teams’ confidence, supports best practice evidence collection and helps ensure survivors receive consistent, high-quality care.”

With SAFE-T, St. Luke’s is prepared around the clock to provide confidential care supported by nationally recognized SANE experts, reducing the need for repeat exams or transfers to distant facilities and helping improve patient outcomes.

“Introducing the SAFE-T System in Fruitland is a testament to the strength of our community and the power or partnership,” said Debbie Larson, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at St. Luke’s Nampa and Fruitland. “By collaborating with both the SAFE-T System and our local organizations and supports, we can ensure survivors of sexual assault have access to timely, expert care closer to home – delivered with the respect, compassion and dedication they deserve.”

SAFE-T also supports local nurses through specialized training through continued education, and legal preparation, helping ensure St. Luke’s teams are well equipped to care for patients and support potential legal processes. Receiving an exam does not require reporting to law enforcement.

This system builds on St. Luke’s longstanding collaboration with local law enforcement, advocacy groups and other community partners. Together, these organizations work to increase awareness that survivors can receive comprehensive, compassionate support locally—from immediate medical care to advocacy services and follow-up resources.

St. Luke’s encourages anyone who has experienced sexual assault to know that help is available locally, at any time. Care is confidential, patient centered and designed to support both physical and emotional healing. Professional language services are available to support patients who prefer to receive care in a language other than English.

About SAFE-T

The SAFE-T (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination–Telehealth) System, developed in partnership with Penn State University, uses secure telehealth technology to connect expert SANEs with local clinicians during sexual assault exams. This model expands access to high quality, trauma-informed care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.