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Coding of Sexual Assault by Emergency Physicians: A Nationally Representative Study.
Vithya Murugan1, Katherine J Holzer2, Michael G Vaughn1,3
1Saint Louis University, School of Social Work, St. Louis, Missouri.
The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
|April 15, 2021
Summary
Coding for sexual assault visits in emergency departments is more likely for younger females, urban locations, and without alcohol use. This impacts legal cases and victim outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Sexual assault is a significant public health issue with lasting victim impacts.
- Emergency department visits for sexual assault are crucial for legal proceedings.
- Accurate medical documentation is vital for prosecution and case outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing the coding of emergency department visits as sexual assault versus suspected sexual assault.
- To analyze the characteristics associated with confirmed sexual assault coding.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database.
- Conducted a comparative analysis of coding practices for sexual assault visits.
Main Results:
- Younger patient age, female gender, and urban hospital settings were associated with confirmed sexual assault coding.
- A higher number of procedure codes and absence of concurrent alcohol use also correlated with confirmed sexual assault coding.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights demographic and clinical factors influencing sexual assault coding in emergency settings.
- Understanding these factors is essential for improving documentation and its implications for legal and victim support processes.
