Strengthening the Fight Against Human Trafficking: A Call to Action for Clinical Nurse Leaders
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
Abstract: Human trafficking is a pervasive issue that poses a significant public health concern). A quality improvement project was conducted to address this issue using the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle at a large Mid-West level one emergency room. The project aimed to enhance the human trafficking screening process for registered nurses in and to identify innovative ways to provide resources to suspected victims. A SWOT analysis was conducted revealing a concerning lack of human trafficking screenings by registered nurses. Data extraction using the electronic health record (EHR) indicated limited screenings in practice. Stakeholder support was secured for a pilot modification to the EHR, along with resources to assist nurses in identifying potential victims. The modification to the EHR was a decision tool that prompts the nurse with a question, “Do you suspect this patient could be a victim of human trafficking?” If the nurse answers "yes," the system will follow up with, “Is this patient alone and able to complete the human trafficking screening?” If the response is "yes," the human trafficking screening will be made available. If the answer is "no," a best practice advisory will suggest that the nurse conduct the screening when the patient is alone. To further support nurses, the project will include an educational session on the EHR modifications, in partnership with a local human trafficking task force expert. Additional resources include educational data graphs, resource binders, human trafficking/abuse signs in all patient bathrooms, and discreet materials displaying the human trafficking hotline number will were provided.
Strengthening the Fight Against Human Trafficking: A Call to Action for Clinical Nurse Leaders
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Abstract: Human trafficking is a pervasive issue that poses a significant public health concern). A quality improvement project was conducted to address this issue using the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle at a large Mid-West level one emergency room. The project aimed to enhance the human trafficking screening process for registered nurses in and to identify innovative ways to provide resources to suspected victims. A SWOT analysis was conducted revealing a concerning lack of human trafficking screenings by registered nurses. Data extraction using the electronic health record (EHR) indicated limited screenings in practice. Stakeholder support was secured for a pilot modification to the EHR, along with resources to assist nurses in identifying potential victims. The modification to the EHR was a decision tool that prompts the nurse with a question, “Do you suspect this patient could be a victim of human trafficking?” If the nurse answers "yes," the system will follow up with, “Is this patient alone and able to complete the human trafficking screening?” If the response is "yes," the human trafficking screening will be made available. If the answer is "no," a best practice advisory will suggest that the nurse conduct the screening when the patient is alone. To further support nurses, the project will include an educational session on the EHR modifications, in partnership with a local human trafficking task force expert. Additional resources include educational data graphs, resource binders, human trafficking/abuse signs in all patient bathrooms, and discreet materials displaying the human trafficking hotline number will were provided.