Date of Graduation

Spring 5-15-2025

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

MSN project

First Advisor

Dr. Robert Patterson

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a widespread public health issue that disproportionately affects women and underserved communities, particularly in immigrant and Spanish-speaking populations. Despite national recommendations to conduct routine IPV screening in clinical settings, many healthcare providers lack the tools, training, and workflows needed to screen consistently and respond effectively. This quality improvement project aimed to standardize IPV screening using the Hurt, Insulted, Threatened, Screamed screening tool within the electronic health record at a community-based health clinic and provide targeted education to Medical Assistants, who are often the first point of contact during patient intake. The intervention included a culturally responsive training module, a resource guide, and a community-based training led by Casa de las Madres. A hard stop was added to the electronic health record to support screening adherence. The pilot was conducted across three departments, adult, women, and HIV clinics, and included pre- and post-intervention staff feedback to assess impact. Results demonstrated increased staff engagement and awareness, with opportunities identified for continued staff education, improved workflows, and expanded access to patient resources. While the short timeline and limited staffing presented some challenges, the project demonstrated the potential of a trauma-informed, system-level approach to improve IPV screening rates, enhance care equity, and create a safer clinical environment for patients at risk of violence.

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