Registered Nurses´ Association of Ontario
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Sample Sample Policy 2: Departmental/Unit Policy
PURPOSE
To ensure that staff members are aware of roles and responsibilities related to the Routine Universal
Comprehensive Screening Protocol (RUCS).
Policy
- All staff in Family Health Services comply with Organizational Policy (sample policy #1).
- All staff members working in Family Health Services understand the purpose of the RUCS protocol.
- All staff members implement the RUCS protocol with female clients, 12 and over, who receive a comprehensive assessment: Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program, Child Health Program and Young Adult Program.
Procedures
- 1.0 Application of the RUCS Protocol for Public Health Nurses
- 1.1 Any female, 12 and over, who has a comprehensive assessment will be assessed for abuse. These would include the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children and the Child Health and Adolescent Programs.
- 1.2 During the intake assessment of a female client, 12 and over, the PHN routinely asks if the individual has experienced any form of abuse within the last year or at any time in her life. This assessment will be applied to all clients, whether they are new or are in a long term program.
- 1.3 The Public Health Nurse documents on the individual client record or log sheet that: (1) the question was asked and (2) the client response.
- 1.4 If abuse of a female client under the age of 12 has been disclosed, the PHN has a legal obligation to report this disclosure verbally to the Children’s Aid Society (CAS).
- 1.5 Education about prevalence of woman abuse, the potential health impact and the types of abuse will be a part of this interview, regardless of disclosure. See p. 79-85 for information on types of abuse and the health effects. The degree and depth of the information shared will be determined by the client situation.
