Improving Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in an Ambulatory Women's Health Clinic [03F

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The primary objective was to increase the number of women screened for IPV in an ambulatory women's health clinic. METHODS: This was a quality improvement project designed to increase the number of women presenting for annual visits who were screened for intimate partner violence with a validated tool. Process observations, stakeholder interviews and chart review were performed to assess baseline levels of screening and plan for implementation of a screening tool that would be useful and acceptable. Training was performed with clinic flow staff and with providers. Clinic flow staff were asked to assign a computerized screener to patients presenting for annual GYN visits with Generalist OB/GYN providers and completion of the screener was documented using a dot phrase built into the electronic medical record. Success of the intervention was assessed by recording rates of screening tool assignment, completion and documentation. Screening, completion and documentation rates over time were compared using control charts. Given lack of any validated screening tool use prior to the study period, no direct statistical comparison was made to the period prior to the study period. RESULTS: Of 1427 eligible women, 722 were screened (50.6%). Rates of screener assigned varied over the months assessed, with a median screening rate of 53.6% over the 10 months studied. Documentation rates also varied among providers. Median documentation rate over the study period was 85%. CONCLUSION: Introduction of a new screening tool led to increased rates of IPV screening over time, though further intervention is required to improve this process.