The Effectiveness of a Human Trafficking Protocol in the Emergency Department: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis
Recommended Citation
Bastien DJ, and Peters RM. The Effectiveness of a Human Trafficking Protocol in the Emergency Department: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis. J Nurs Care Qual 2024.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-15-2024
Publication Title
Journal of nursing care quality
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human trafficking affects nearly 1.1 million persons in the United States. Over 50% of victims will receive care in an emergency department (ED) during their exploitation.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a human trafficking protocol and electronic medical record screening and assessment tool in identifying victims of human trafficking in the ED.
METHODS: A 5-year, retrospective chart audit was conducted.
RESULTS: Over 2 million ED visits occurred during the 5-year study period. Less than 1% (n = 525) of those patients screened positive as potential victims, while 45 (8.6%) were confirmed trafficking victims. The number of victims identified dropped following the pandemic.
CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic issues, staffing turnover, and lack of ongoing trafficking education impeded the identification of victims. Recommended changes to the protocol are presented.
PubMed ID
39028974
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
