Integrating Population Health Data on Violence Into the Emergency Department: A Feasibility and Implementation Study

• NCJ Number: 253310
• Journal: Journal of Trauma Nursing Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: 2018 Pages: 149-158
• Author(s): Michael N. Levas; Jennifer L. Hernandez-Meier; Sara Kohlbeck; Nancy Plotrowski; Stephen Hargarten
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-0110
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: Integrating Emergency Department Data with Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Service and Community Data to Reduce Violence

Annotation

This study assessed the feasibility of translating the Cardiff model developed in the United Kingdom within the electronic medical record (EMR) in the United States.

Abstract

Geocoded emergency department (ED) data have enabled the development and evaluation of novel interventions for the prevention of violence in cities outside of the United States. First implemented in Cardiff, United Kingdom, collection of these data provides public health agencies, community organizations, and law enforcement with place-based information on assaults. In the current study, data were collected for all patients reporting an assaultive injury upon arrival to the ED. Emergency department nurses were subsequently recruited to participate in two surveys and a focus group to evaluate the implementation and to provide qualitative feedback to enhance integration. Nurses completed EMR questions in 98.2 percent of patients reporting to the ED over the study period. More than 90 percent of survey respondents were satisfied with their participation, and most felt that the questions were useful for clinical care (79/70 percent), were integrated well into workflow (89/90 percent), and were congruent with the ED and hospital goals and mission (93/98 percent). Focus group themes centered on ED culture, external factors, and internal workflow. It is feasible to implement place-based, assault-related injury-specific questions into the EMR with minimal disruption of workflow and triage times. Nurses, as key members of the ED team, were receptive to participating in the collection of population health data that may inform community violence- prevention activities. (publisher abstract modified)