[Improving procedures for treating domestic violence victims in a local hospital]

The aim of this project was to improve the handling of cases of domestic violence by a local hospital. Through the project, medical personnels may gain an improved understanding of this problem and increase their ability and knowledge in relation to domestic violence. The hope was to provide professional medical services while protecting the personal privacy of the patients who needed to be helped. Our previous observations had led us to note that there was inadequate recognition of domestic violence, inadequate keeping of medical records, no standardized working protocol and an environment that was not sufficiently secure and safe for victims of domestic violence. During the project, several improvements were made, including the setting up of a one-stop service counter, a standard working protocol, a design for a safer environment and advanced training for medical personnel dealing with cases of domestic violence, and the creation of a special form of medical document for domestic violence. The results showed improved understanding of the problem among nursing staff, from an initial 58% to 97%. The satisfaction rate among patients was also elevated, from 55% to 85%. Thus with this project, we hope to help victims of domestic violence to banish their unpleasant memories early on, to obtain proper medical care both physically and psychologically, and finally to benefit from an improved quality of service provided by a local hospital, the professional image of whose nursing stuff has also been enhanced.