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Domestic Abuse Prevention |
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Comply with JCAHO Standard PC.3.10 on Victims of
Abuse In 2004, JCAHO instituted new standards for hospitals on how to respond to domestic abuse, neglect and exploitation. These recommendations are outlined below with links to on-line resources to help hospitals comply with the requirements.
The primary resource to help hospitals comply is the Family
Violence Prevention Fund’s National
Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence
Victimization in Health Care Settings. Hard copies of this publication may
also be purchased.
JCAHO Additional Standards for Victims of Abuse Standard PC.3.10 [Patients/Residents/Clients] who may be victims of abuse neglect, or exploitation (exploitation not applicable to HAP and AMB) are assessed (See RI.2.150.)
Rationale for PC.3.10 Victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation (exploitation not applicable to HAP and AMB) may come to an organization in a variety of ways. The [patient/resident/client] may be unable or reluctant to speak of the abuse, and it may not be obvious to the casual observer. Staff needs to be able to identify abuse, neglect, [and exploitation—not applicable to HAP and AMB] as well as the extent and circumstances of the abuse, neglect, [or exploitation—not applicable to HAP and AMB] to give the [patient/resident/client] appropriate care.
Criteria for identifying and assessing victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (exploitation only applicable to HAP and LTC) should be used throughout the organization. The assessment of the [patient/resident/client] must be conducted within the context of the requirements of the law to preserve evidentiary materials and support future legal actions.
Elements of Performance for PC.3.10 1. The organization develops or adopts criteria for identifying victims in each of the following situations (for further information on any of these categories, click on the links below):
For sample clinical tools see Appendix D & E of the National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization in Health Care Settings 2. Staff2 is educated about abuse, neglect, or exploitation and how to refer as appropriate.
3. A list of private and public community agencies that provide or arrange for assessment and care of abuse victims is maintained to facilitate appropriate referrals.
4. Victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation (exploitation not applicable to HAP and AMB) are identified using the criteria developed or adopted by the organization at entry into the system and on an ongoing basis.
5. The organization's staff refers appropriately or conducts the assessment of victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation (exploitation not applicable to HAP and AMB).
6. All cases of possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation are reported to appropriate agencies according to organization policy and law and regulation State laws differ for child abuse, intimate partner violence and elder abuse. Some states have requirements to report current victimization to law enforcement, or social services. Providers should:
7. All cases of possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation are immediately reported in the organization.
Hospital Version Additional Standards for Victims of Abuse Standard PC.3.10 Patients who may be victims of abuse or neglect are assessed. (See RI.2.150.) Rationale for PC.3.10 Victims of abuse or neglect may come to a hospital in a variety of ways. The patient may be unable or reluctant to speak of the abuse, and it may not be obvious to the casual observer. Staff needs to be able to identify abuse and neglect as well as the extent and circumstances of the abuse or neglect to give the patient appropriate care. Criteria for identifying and assessing victims of abuse or neglect should be used throughout the organization. The assessment of the patient must be conducted within the context of the requirements of the law to preserve evidentiary materials and support future legal actions. Elements of Performance for PC.3.10 1. The organization develops or adopts criteria3 for identifying victims in each of the following situations:
2. Staff4 is educated about abuse and neglect and how to refer as appropriate. 3. A list of private and public community agencies that provide or arrange for assessment and care of abuse victims is maintained to facilitate appropriate referrals. 4. Victims of abuse or neglect are identified using the criteria developed or adopted by the organization at entry into the system and on an ongoing basis. 5. The organization's staff refers appropriately or conducts the assessment of victims of abuse or neglect 6. All cases of possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation are reported to appropriate agencies according to organization policy and law and regulation. 7. All cases of possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation are immediately reported in the organization.
Master Version Standard RI.2.150 [Patients/Residents/Clients] have the right to be free from mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, neglect, and exploitation.5 Note: See PC.3.10, which addresses assessing and reporting of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Elements of Performance for RI.2.150 1. The organization addresses how it will, to the best of its ability, protect [patients/residents/clients] from real or perceived abuse, neglect [including involuntary seclusion for Long Term Care], or exploitation from anyone, including staff, students, volunteers, other [patients/residents/clients], visitors, or family members. 2. All allegations, observations, or suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that occur [in the organization for all except OME] are investigated by the organization.
Hospital Version Standard RI.2.150 Patients have the right to be free from mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, neglect, and exploitation.6 Note: See PC.3.10, which addresses assessing and reporting of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Elements of Performance for RI.2.150 1. The hospital addresses how it will, to the best of its ability, protect patients from real or perceived abuse, neglect, or exploitation from anyone, including staff, students, volunteers, other patients, visitors, or family members. 2. All allegations, observations, or suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that occur in the organization are investigated by the organization.
1The Family Violence Prevention Fund is one
resource that can be contacted for further information at www.endabuse.org.
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