Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117068

Consuelo Dungca, RN, EdD, Office of Clinical Affairs, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, Office of Clinical Affairs, Central Office, 125 Worth Street , Suite 427, New York, NY 10013, 212 7883397, dungcac@NYCHHC.ORG and Tracey L. Weber, MPH, Combat Domestic Violence, Mayor's Office, 100 Gold Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10038.

NYC's population of 8 million is ethnically diverse (36% foreign-born; 44% speak a foreign language at home) with a large number of domestic violence (DV) victims. In 2004, there were 67 family-related homicides, 240,000 DV incidents, and 155,000 DV hotline calls. The NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) assisted 2,379 known DV victims in 2003; however, research suggests that a large number of victims are never identified by hospital staff.

Since public hospitals are noted to be a unique entry point for DV victims, the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) and HHC committed to enhance existing services at public hospitals through Project HEAL (Health Emergency Assistance Link). Project HEAL was implemented in HHC hospitals based on best practice guidelines consistent with the latest research, OCDV's experience in coordinating citywide DV services for diverse populations and HHC's history of providing comprehensive services. The most innovative component of the Project is the Digital Photographic Database that securely stores photographs of patients' DV injuries. Components of the Database include: documentation of history and severity of abuse w/clear photographs; enhanced training on care for multiculture populations; multilingual public education; enhanced screening/danger assessment; order of protection application software training; and on-site community civil legal services, advocacy and case management.

In the first six months of the Project: 1,141 DV victims were identified and assisted by social work department; 2,067 hospital staff trained; 100 patients had DV photographs stored on Digital Photographic Database; and 51 were assisted in hospitals w/an order of protection application.

Learning Objectives:

• OBJECTIVES
• 1. Identify components of a successful citywide hospital-based domestic violence program.
• 2. Discuss the innovative application of technology for a domestic violence program.

Keywords: Immigrant Domestic Violence, Urban Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation