Hospital earns fort's appreciation {Sierra Vista]

Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

SIERA VISTA — Going to a hospital emergency room is traumatic for most, but when a person is a victim of a sexual assault, it is even more psychologically and physically painful.

Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley came to the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center to thank those who work in the hospital emergency department.

He had a two-fold mission, one to express his appreciation for the service provided to Fort Huachuca soldiers and military families when they have a medical emergency, and to express his personal gratitude to a nurse who helped a female soldier make it through the travails of being sexually assaulted.

The commander of the Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, Ashley’s responsibilities go beyond the operational missions of his intelligence command to include ensuring that military members and those with families assigned to the fort are cared for, and that includes their medical needs.

Saying he appreciates “what you do for the soldiers and our community,” the general presented a certificate of appreciation to Jessica Martinez-Pompa, the hospital’s director emergency services for the work of her staff.

Saying the emergency staff “has a unique bond, as close and tight as I see it,” Ashley especially thanked registered nurse Kim Riggs, whose delicate work in handling a sexually assaulted woman soldier is an example of the type of kindness and professionalism which helped the soldier overcome her fears after the incident happened.

To Riggs, the general gave her a personal note of thanks.

Without the help of Riggs the soldier’s trauma would have been even greater, Ashley said.

After the presentations, Martinez-Pompa said extreme care, including the ability to listen to a victim, is what all sexual abuse nurses at the hospital do, because not only are they trained what to do, but more importantly have a unique personal and professional way of helping a victim through the trauma they are experiencing.

“Compassionate care is always needed,” she said, adding anywhere from one to four sexual assault cases come to the emergency department each month, from throughout the community, civilian and military.

Riggs said when the soldier was brought in much of the initial work was making the woman comfortable, to make her understand the long process — which can take two to four hours — and “is very intrusive and hurts.”

At each step, care is taken to inform the patient of what will happen and why, she added.

The methodical gathering of evidence, which can be used in prosecuting a case, has to be legally done and it is important. “Once a kit is opened,” it remains in the custody of the nurse for what is obtained is considered legal evidence, she said. Riggs added that the person doing the gathering of evidence can be called to testify and so written notes as well as physical evidence is always taken.

At no time can the chain evidence be broken, Riggs said.

As for her and other nurses who gather such information “it’s rewarding to help those patients,” she said.

[yoe]

Fort Huachuca is in Southeastern Arizona....Obama and Co. have their long knives out for this state...Flake and McCain had better be prepared to protect this part of AZ...

[donmeaker]

It is one US fort that has actually been attacked by foreigners.