SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Association Between Intimate Partner Violence Exposure and Hospital-Based Healthcare Utilization

Pdf Summary

This matched case-control study examined whether intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure is associated with higher hospitalization rates and worse outcomes among adult patients hospitalized at Mass General Brigham from October 2016 to October 2019. IPV-exposed patients were identified by a positive abuse screen, referral to an IPV advocacy program, or an ICD code for IPV. Controls had a negative abuse screen and were matched 1:3 on sex, age, and screening location.<br /><br />The study included 2,095 IPV-exposed cases with 5,093 hospitalizations and 6,285 controls with 10,347 hospitalizations. Compared with controls, IPV-exposed patients had a 1.52-fold higher adjusted hospitalization rate per patient-year (1.13 vs 0.74 hospitalizations/year). During hospitalization, they also had an 18% longer length of stay.<br /><br />IPV-exposed patients were more likely to receive social work consultations, have three medical/surgical consultations, report higher pain scores, receive one-time antipsychotic or benzodiazepine treatment, require restraints, leave against medical advice, and be discharged with an undifferentiated diagnosis. They were less likely to undergo diagnostic or surgical procedures and less likely to receive three imaging tests.<br /><br />The authors conclude that hospitalized patients with IPV represent a distinct group with greater healthcare utilization and hospital morbidity, but with lower use of some procedures and imaging, suggesting a possible care gap. They note important limitations, including likely underreporting of IPV, single-center design, and the observational nature of the study, which prevents causal inference. The findings highlight the need for better IPV identification and trauma-informed hospital care.

Asset Subtitle

Amrapali Maitra

Meta Tag

Author List Amrapali Maitra, Jeffrey L. Schnipper, Stephanie K. Mueller

Category Research

Concept Intimate Partner Violence

Concept Hospitalization Rate

Concept Hospitalization Outcome

Concept Incidence Rate Ratio

Concept Study Design

Distinguished Finalist

Presenter Organization Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School

Presenting Author Amrapali Maitra

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

intimate partner violence

hospitalization rates

matched case-control study

hospital outcomes

healthcare utilization

length of stay

trauma-informed care

social work consultation

pain scores

diagnostic procedures

Intimate Partner Violence

Hospitalization Rate

Hospitalization Outcome

Incidence Rate Ratio

Study Design