Identifying domestic violence within inpatient hospital admissions using medical records

This paper examines incidences of domestic violence among hospitalized patients identified as being victims of domestic violence. Specifically, we focus on defining the type and cost of domestic violence and identifying demographic characteristics of individuals at risk for domestic violence. Data for this paper were abstracted from the 1994 HCUP-3 data set. Findings from these data suggest that identifying incidences of domestic violence is very complex and difficult. The primary diagnosis of those who are victims of domestic violence range from broken bones and bruises to chronic and acute illness to mental illness. Finally, non-white populations are approximately two times more likely to be identified as victims of physical violence than whites and as age increases the likelihood of being identified as a victim of physical violence decreases.