The association between hospital policies and services and the emergency department diagnosis of intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects nearly two million U.S. women each year, yet it remains difficult for healthcare providers to identify in emergency departments (EDs). This study examined whether hospital‑level IPV policies and services were associated with IPV diagnosis rates across 21 Oregon EDs from 2001 to 2005. Among 754,597 adult female ED visits, IPV was diagnosed in 1,929 cases (0.26%). Mandatory screening and access to victim advocates were the most common services. Use of a standardized intervention checklist significantly increased the likelihood of IPV diagnosis, while public awareness displays were associated with lower odds. Findings suggest hospital protocols may improve IPV identification.