Universal screening for domestic abuse as standard of practice the emergency room nurses' experience

Summary: Staff of the Providence Health Care Domestic Violence Intervention Program of the Emergency Dept. of St. Paul's Hospital discuss the program and the roles nurses, social workers and physicians play in the care process. Nurses ask the abuse person pertinent questions, which in turn allows social workers to assess the situation and offer referrals to community agencies. Physicians document the effect of the abuse and reinforce the message that no one deserves abuse and hospital staff can help.