Medical chaperones observe the exam or procedure, provide assistance to the clinician if qualified and requested to do so, and if they observe anything that is possibly inappropriate, report this to their immediate supervisor. It’s our job to provide a safe, comfortable environment for our patients, and the consistent provision of a trained medical chaperone, particularly during sensitive exams and procedures, supports this effort.”Ī sensitive exam or procedure is defined as one which involves the genital, rectal, female breast and/or pelvic areas. “We know that physical examinations and procedures can cause anxiety for any patient, and potentially for their family members or their caregiver. “Our staff adheres to high ethical standards, and our goal at VUMC is to always ensure our patients’ safety, while also being mindful of their privacy and dignity,” said Patty Wright, MD, Chief of Staff for Adult Ambulatory Services for Davidson County.

Training for individuals who will serve in the medical chaperone role and their leaders will begin this month. The medical chaperone policy will be extended to those locations and to VUMC inpatient settings at a later date. The policy takes effect in November for adult and children’s ambulatory clinics, initially excluding those at Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. Because of this, Vanderbilt University Medical Center is implementing a new policy which standardizes and expands the role of a medical chaperone, an individual who serves as a witness for both a patient and their clinician during a sensitive medical examination or procedure. Sensitive medical examinations and procedures can create anxiety or an increased sense of vulnerability for patients.

Medical chaperone blog