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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Suzanne Lee Smith, BS, RRT, MBA¹, Pamela J. Pillsbury, MEd², Lynn M. Deitrick, RN, PhD¹, Julie Dostal, MD³, Sharon R. Kimmel, PhD¹, Linda M. Lewis, RN⁴, and Judith N. Sabino, MPH¹. (1) Department of Community Health and Health Studies, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, PO BOX 7017, Allentown, PA 18105, 610-969-2490, suzanne.smith@lvh.com, (2) PA Regional Community Policing Institue, 17th and Chew Streets , PO BOX 7017, Allentown, PA 18105, (3) Department of Family Medicine, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, PO BOX 7017, Allentown, PA 18105, (4) Turning Point of Lehigh Valley Inc., 444 East Susquehanna Street, Allentown, PA 18103

Documented high morbidity and mortality rates, health care expenses coupled with the recognition of the societal and medical impact of domestic violence, prompted a 800-bed urban hospital (Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network) to dramatically change the culture of the institution. Through a convergence and collaboration of medical disciplines and community organizations, system change positively impacting care has occurred. Initiatives to promote and improve a “culture of safety,” for both patients and staff, included formation of an interdisciplinary workgroup, provision of physician and staff education in ambulatory care settings, establishment of domestic violence screening systems in five ambulatory resident practices sites and three emergency departments and system-wide updating of domestic violence policies and procedures. Throughout development of the initiative, the community partnership with the local domestic violence program was essential for the success of this culture change project. Combining the expertise and resources of the local domestic violence program with those of the hospital created a strong base to launch this project. An assessment of the culture change was designed to evaluate and understand the work taking place in ambulatory care and institutional progress change. Following intensive data review, analysis and discussion, a culture change model was developed. Findings showed that the process of culture change was unique to each practice site and required definition of processes, roles, expectations, responsibilities and resources to support a safe practice. Use of the model enables recommendations for future strategies and continued process improvement.

Learning Objectives:

• Learners will be able to name the components of the culture of safety and identify strategies for system change within their institutions regarding domestic violence.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Evidence Based Practice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation