TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Victims of violence, how a trauma center and family justice center can provide continued care after initial hospitalization JO - American surgeon A1 - Lopez, Janelle A1 - Fong, Krystina A1 - Chow, Erica A1 - Romero, Javier A1 - Duncan, Thomas K. A1 - Diaz, Graal SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - 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.

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.

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.

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).

CONCLUSION: By collaborating with FJCs, trauma center outcomes contribute to a pathway for healing and may prevent future acts of intentional injuries.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0003-1348 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00031348231180930 ID - ref1 ER -