The objective of this research was to assess rates of clinician screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and to evaluate documentation of cases. The authors reviewed 527 charts of women aged 18 to 65 seen in the emergency department of an academic medical center. Of the 527 charts reviewed, 150 charts (29%) indicated patients were screened; 23 patients (15%) were positive for IPV. Prevalence of lifetime exposure to IPV was 4.4%, and prevalence of current IPV was 2.8%. Few aspects of patient safety (whether the patient felt safe going home, whether a gun was in the home) were charted. Screening and documentation rates in emergency departments are far from optimal.
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