TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - The effectiveness of a human trafficking protocol in the emergency department: a 5-year retrospective analysis
JO  - Journal of nursing care quality
A1  - Bastien, Danielle Jordan
A1  - Peters, Rosalind M.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 1057-3631
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000797
ID  - ref1
ER  -