Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

• Committee Chair Name & Credentials:
  Melissa Davis, DNP, CNM
• Committee Member Name & Credentials:
  Joanne Bailey, CNM, PhD

DNP Project Abstract

Changing the Admission Process in an OB Triage to Allow for Confidential Screenings

Purpose
Human trafficking and intimate partner violence are prevalent problems in pregnant women, which places these patients at risk for complications. Confidential screening is difficult in the OB triage because patients are not roomed alone. Abuse screening is a JCAHO requirement. We are missing opportunities to assess patients’ needs in OB triage. The aim of this project was to change the flow of the obstetrical triage to allow for confidential screening, including initiation of a human trafficking (HT) screening tool, which was added to the established screening tool and administered from October to November 2022.

Methods
An educational module was implemented and given to the OB triage staff. Two validated human trafficking questions and an open-ended question was added to the existing abuse questionnaire. Patients were roomed separately until screening was completed. The OB triage staff completed a pre-and post-Likert survey. Data on compliance with the abuse screening and pre-test/post-test scores were analyzed.

Results
Abuse screenings increased from 5.7% to 10.1%. Two human trafficking and one intimate partner violence survivor were identified. There was an increase (46.8%) in confidence in identifying a human trafficking survivor, an increase (31.8%) in knowing what to do after the survivor was identified, and an increase (26.7%) in the ability to ask patient questions alone. There was a decrease (8.9%) in difficulty getting patients alone.

Implications for Practice
A human trafficking tool and education helped increase staff knowledge of human trafficking and identifying a survivor. Rooming patients alone increased the ability to complete confidential screening.