If social services are available through the medical facility, utilize these. Discuss safety planning as a priority. When the patient is discharged from the hospital, physician s office or clinic offer an instruction sheet. It is optimal for this screening tool to be used in an interview format with questions asked as sensitively as possible. Many people are exposed to violence in some form.
Violence is a health risk and can result in physical and emotional problems.
If you are a violence victim, we can better help you if we know it. If the relationship is a current or former intimate partner, further assessment is necessary. Please refer to Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Tool, included in this protocol. If not, please provide the patient with the Domestic Violence Information Sheet. I d like to ask you some questions that will help us understand whether or not you are in danger, and if so, what options might be available to help you cope with your situation.