@article{ref1,
title="The effectiveness of a human trafficking protocol in the emergency department: a 5-year retrospective analysis",
journal="Journal of nursing care quality",
year="2024",
author="Bastien, Danielle Jordan and Peters, Rosalind M.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Human trafficking affects nearly 1.1 million persons in the United States. Over 50% of victims will receive care in an emergency department (ED) during their exploitation. <br><br>PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a human trafficking protocol and electronic medical record screening and assessment tool in identifying victims of human trafficking in the ED. <br><br>METHODS: A 5-year, retrospective chart audit was conducted. <br><br>RESULTS: Over 2 million ED visits occurred during the 5-year study period. Less than 1% (n = 525) of those patients screened positive as potential victims, while 45 (8.6%) were confirmed trafficking victims. The number of victims identified dropped following the pandemic. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic issues, staffing turnover, and lack of ongoing trafficking education impeded the identification of victims. Recommended changes to the protocol are presented.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1057-3631",
doi="10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000797",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000797"
}