Domestic violence screening in the emergency department of an urban hospital

Abstract

Victims of domestic violence appeal to the health care system through emergency room visits for injuries related to violent episodes or for proxy care for other complaints. Screening for persons who are at high risk for violence or who are victims of violence has not been performed in emergency rooms when patients present for care, nor have all health care professionals been educated in the ways to ask the questions and assess the patients. The questions for identifying domestic violence victims have not been routinely asked on admission to the emergency department, and documentation of this information is not consistent. The purpose of this survey study was to identify the numbers and characteristics of adult victims of domestic violence who present to the emergency department of an urban community medical center during a 1 0-day period to estimate the extent of the domestic violence in the community served by the acute care facility. Findings demonstrated that emergency department staff had difficulty asking the questions, and the responsibility for the screening was relegated to the triage nurse. Questions were not asked of each adult presenting to the emergency department, and health care staff identified various reasons for their resistance. Although only 12% of persons were screened and only during the hours of 0700 through 1900, positive screens for physical abuse were found in 24.6% (n = 20) of the 81 women screened. Routine screening of all patients and sensitivity to the needs of those who have experienced domestic violence are integral to prevention and safety of those who are victimized. Injury prevention programs can then be instituted in the community with the collaborative efforts of local citizen groups and the health care facility.