Overview
- Effective Jan. 20, patients at the Cherry Point clinic may request a chaperone for any exam or procedure, including during scheduling, with reasonable efforts to honor sex preference.
- Staff must proactively offer a chaperone before exams involving genitalia, the rectum, female breasts, or forensic evaluations, and clinicians may decline the exam if a patient refuses.
- Authorized chaperones span physicians, dentists, physician assistants, nurses, medics and corpsmen, technicians, paraprofessionals, support assistants, psychologists, social workers, and vetted volunteers.
- The clinic describes the policy as a continuation of high-quality care that fosters a safer environment for patients and staff, according to Executive Officer Capt. Carol Ellsworth.
- DHA’s recent guidance affirms chaperone rights across the military health system, directs facilities to inform patients, and sets documentation and scheduling practices when preferences cannot be met.