Model
Domestic Violence Hospital Policy
A public health approach to providing optimal care to patients
who are or may be victims or perpetrators of domestic violence
The purpose of this CHIIP Program model Domestic Violence Policy is
to assist your health care providers provide optimal care to patients
who are or may be victims or perpetrators of domestic violence. Domestic
violence is a public health problem with serious and far-reaching consequences
for patients, families, and communities. The presence of domestic violence
in the life of a patient can create or aggravate acute and chronic health
problems, interfere with recommended treatments for existing problems,
and increase the cost of health care.
In the effort to prevent or reduce the public health impact of domestic
violence, this model policy provides recommendations regarding screening
for domestic violence, recognition of possible indicators, supportive
counseling, safety planning, referral and documentation. Adherence to
these policy recommendations will promote compliance with JCAHO, various
professional association requirements (i.e. AMA, ACOG, AAP, ACS), any
applicable legal reporting requirements and best practice recommendations
regarding the care of abused patients.
Due to the trust bestowed upon them by their patients and their intimate
involvement in the health and well-being of families, healthcare providers
can play a unique and critical role in education about and identification
of domestic violence. In some cases, a healthcare provider may the first
non-family member a victim or perpetrator turns to for help. An informed
and educated response to the problem of domestic violence by a healthcare
provider can be crucial to the safety of patient, may improve patient
health outcomes, and prevent further violence.
A review of sampling from nation-wide policies demonstrated policies
that were either too lengthy of a policy to be accurately implemented,
or too brief and narrow a policy to be effective and meet JCAHO standards.
It meant for direct adaptation for your institution, with modification
to be made to reflect state regulations and institutional procedures
(see below).
EXAMPLE OF DIRECTIVES FOR POLICY ADAPTATION OR EXPLANATION
Text boxes throughout the policy such as this are meant to provide
explanation or direction to make adaptations or modifications specific
for your institution to reflect state regulations or institution
policies. |
Policy is meant to be directly adapted and implemented in hospitals
across the country. Please contact the CHIIP Program for intention of
adaptation or use in your institution.
For more information, contact Program Manager, Katherine J. Smith at
860.714.4807; email: IamKatSmith@aol.com; or go to www.connecticutprevention.com.
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The Connecticut Health Initiative for Identification and Prevention (CHIIP)
is a program that is designed to improve the readiness of health care institutions
across the state with regard to the care and protection of abused patients.
CHIIP is developing materials and programs that will improve the knowledge
base and sensitivity to a range of health care providers throughout the 
State
regarding victims and perpetrators of violence, increase providers knowledge
and use of local domestic violence organizations, improve the institutional
policies regarding abuse identification and intervention in hospitals statewide,
provide opportunities for ongoing, sustainable training policies for providers
and hospitals in Connecticut, increase the number of health care providers
that regularly screen for abuse victimization and perpetration, research the
effects of this public health initiative and provide guidelines for other states
to pursue similar initiatives, and increase the health and safety of Connecticut
residents. 
The purpose of this program is to improve the overall response of the health
care system in the state of Connecticut to victims of violence. 
It has the
potential to affect the management of abuse victims across the state by establishing
evidence-based, cost-effective, best-practice model that is tested and standardized.
The curriculum for training has been developed for health care workers regarding
domestic violence, its impact on health, and improved screening and intervention
techniques. 
S.A.F.E. Method
