Patient Care Chaperones
gme-adm-0043
About This Policy
- Effective Date:
- 03-25-2020
- Date of Last Review/Update:
- 03-12-2020
- Responsible University Office:
- Graduate Medical Education
- Responsible University Administrator:
- Senior Associate Dean for GME
- Policy Contact:
GME Assistant Director
Emilie Leveque eleveque@iu.edu
- Policy Feedback:
- If you have comments or questions about this policy, let us know with the policy feedback form.
- Print or view a PDF of this policy
- Many policies are quite lengthy. Please check the page count before deciding whether to print.
Scope
This policy applies to all Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents.Policy Statement
Providing chaperones during patient examinations are a means to provide a consistent, standard and safe care environment. There can be physical, psychological, and cultural reasons why chaperones may be requested or needed. A chaperone may be provided to help protect and enhance the patient's comfort, safety, privacy, security, and/or dignity during sensitive examinations or procedures. The chaperone is frequently also present to provide assistance to the practitioner within the scope of practice.
A chaperone’s presence may also provide protection to healthcare professionals against unfounded allegations of improper behavior. Any service may opt to provide chaperones.
For patients with mental health needs, neurodevelopment disorders, or for cultural/religious reasons, sensitive examinations or procedures may be especially threatening or confusing. A chaperone, particularly one trusted by the patient, may help the patient through the process with the minimum of distress.
Reason for Policy
The purpose of this policy is to provide links to hospital polices regarding the circumstances in which patient care chaperones can and should be present during clinical treatment at each IUSM downtown affiliate hospital.Procedures
Residents are subject to hospital policies regarding the use of patient care chaperones. Please see the pertinent policies attached to this policy.Definitions
A resident is an IUSM resident or fellow, or a non-IUSM resident or fellow electively rotating through IUSM and providing clinical care as part of a GME program.Implementation
The Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for Graduate Medical Education is responsible for implementation of this policy.Oversight
Policy authority for this document resides with the Graduate Medical Education Committee. The DIO and the Graduate Medical Education Committee are responsible for oversight. This policy will be reviewed every three years or more often if deemed necessary.History
- Policy gme-adm-0043 drafted on 23 August 2018.
- Policy revised 12 March 2020.
- Approved by GMEC 25 March 2020.