@article{ref1,
title="Victims of violence, how a trauma center and family justice center can provide continued care after initial hospitalization",
journal="American surgeon",
year="2023",
author="Lopez, Janelle and Fong, Krystina and Chow, Erica and Romero, Javier and Duncan, Thomas K. and Diaz, Graal",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Intentional injuries are the second leading cause of death in the U.S. between the ages of 1 and 44. Each traumatic event is approached best with a multiagency and multidisciplinary approach. Family Justice Centers (FJCs) are structured as one-stop centers for victims of all forms of violence to provide services. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe trauma patients evaluated in an FJC and determine the effect of the referrals on injury-related hospital recidivism. <br><br>METHOD: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of traumatically injured patients that were evaluated in an adult level II trauma center for 3 years and were referred to Ventura County's FJC. <br><br>RESULTS: There were 415 trauma admissions for intentional injuries, which accounted for 10.4% of the total trauma-related hospital admissions. Of these patients, 203 (49%) were evaluated in Ventura County's FJC. The remaining 212 (51%) had an open judicial case, thus, were not processed through the FJC due to conflict of interest. The mechanisms of injuries of patients that were evaluated at the FJC (N = 203) were mostly assaults (83%). Majority of the patients were of the Hispanic race (70%), males (69%), English speaking (77%), and aged 18-59 (84%). 573 individual services were provided to these patients. The patients evaluated through the FJC (N = 203) had zero recidivism, while those with open cases had a 1% recidivism rate (P = NS). <br><br>CONCLUSION: By collaborating with FJCs, trauma center outcomes contribute to a pathway for healing and may prevent future acts of intentional injuries.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-1348",
doi="10.1177/00031348231180930",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00031348231180930"
}