Effects of a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program on Posthospitalization Services: First-Year Experience

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are proven to reduce recidivism and improve patient outcomes.
• The effect of HVIPs on posthospitalization service utilization for patients with penetrating injuries remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an HVIP on posthospitalization service utilization among patients with penetrating injuries.
• To identify factors influencing service utilization in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study at an urban academic Level I trauma center.
• Assessed posthospitalization service utilization (inpatient rehabilitation, home health) for patients with gunshot or stab wounds.
• Used Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, and multivariate logistic regression for analysis.

Main Results:

• HVIP patients (n=62) had higher posthospitalization service utilization (25.8%) compared to non-HVIP patients (n=130, 9.2%; p=.002).
• HVIP patients were younger, more likely to have gunshot wounds, and had higher Injury Severity Scores.
• Hospital admission, Hispanic ethnicity, and higher Injury Severity Score predicted service utilization.

Conclusions:

• HVIPs may enhance posthospitalization service utilization for penetrating injury patients.
• HVIPs show potential for promoting health equity in trauma care.
• Larger studies are recommended to validate these findings.