Improving the Healthcare System's Response to Domestic Violence: An Evaluation of Current Efforts and Future Implications

1 in 4 American women are victims of domestic violence resulting in an estimated 1.3 million victims each year. Annual direct healthcare costs due to such violence are well over $4 billion while the cumulative direct and indirect costs can surpass that of $37 billion annually. The largest geographic county in the nation, San Bernardino County in California, is riddled with domestic violence cases as current estimates report a 26% rate of female victims, significantly higher than the state average. Undoubtedly, measures to prevent current rates and enhance the healthcare system's response to victims are of necessity. As such, Loma Linda University established its first domestic violence task force in 2010 through partnerships between various sectors of the community, academic entities, healthcare, and law enforcement. Given that best practices entail that a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach is most effective in reducing the socioeconomic burden of domestic violence, the task force is utilizing the Delphi Instrument for Hospital-based Domestic Violence Programs developed by Jeff Cohen and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to evaluate current measures and implement benchmarks. The presentation will detail an evaluation of baseline data along with implemented measures. Furthermore, features of key community partnerships, obstacles and possible solutions, and accomplished benchmarks in improving the healthcare system's response to victims will be discussed at the presentation.