LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations (SANE) will now be carried out by the Lafayette Parish Coroner's Office. Hearts of Hope, a local nonprofit, was in charge of handling these examinations.

The Coroner's Office plans to hire full-time SANE nurses to focus more time on sexual assault survivors across Acadiana.

Hearts of Hope covers SANE procedures for hospitals in Lafayette, Ochsner St. Martin Hospital, and Abbeville General Hospital.

Lafayette Parish Coroner Dr. Kenneth Odinet said the nonprofit can only handle about 80% of rape investigations in the emergency room.

"With this additional funding and centralizing, it'll free up Hearts of Hope to cover more areas and give them more manpower," Odinet said.

Hearts of Hope said they support the transition, which allows them to focus their resources on other services they offer.

"These nurses we presently use, they're wonderful, and they're good," Odinet said. "But they're part-time. They have other jobs out in the community, so sometimes there's no coverage. If we can get three full-time nurses and additional PRN nurses, we can get 24/7 coverage."

The coroner wants to extend their coverage to all of Acadiana by involving other parishes.

"The Iberia Parish Coroner's Office plans to meet with Iberia Medical Center and Iberia Parish Government soon to discuss contributing to the program," Dr. Timothy Viator, Iberia Parish Coroner, said.

Odinet said they have secured funding from Our Lady of Lourdes and Ochsner Lafayette General to hire full-time SANE nurses.

"We've also spoken with parish government, and they appear to be on board," Odinet said. "They're very supportive."

The Lafayette Parish Council will review the budget for the Lafayette Parish Coroner's Office next Thursday. If approved, the Coroner's Office wants to begin its new plans for SANE at the beginning of 2025 and eventually expand across Acadiana.

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