Abstract
Introduction
During the emergent treatment of violently injured patients, law enforcement (LE)
officers and health care providers frequently interact. Both have duties to protect
patient health, rights, and public health, however, the balance of these duties may
feel at odds. The purpose of this study is to assess hospital-based violence intervention
program (HVIP) representatives’ experiences with LE officers among survivors of violence
and the impact of hospital policies on interactions with LE officers.
Materials and methods
A nationwide survey was distributed to the 35 HVIPs that form the Health Alliance
for Violence Intervention. Data regarding respondent affiliation, programs, and perceptions
of hospital policies outlining LE activity were collected. Follow-up video interviews
were open coded and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory.
Results
Respondents from 32 HVIPs completed the survey (91%), and 22 interviews (63%) were
conducted. Common themes from interviews were: police-patient interactions; racism,
bias, and victims' treatment as suspects; and training and education. Only 39% of
respondents knew that policies existed and were familiar with them. Most representatives
believed their hospitals’ existing policies were inadequate, ineffective, or biased.
Programs that reported good working relationships with LE officers offered insight
on how their programs maintain these partnerships and work with LE officers towards
a common goal.
Conclusions
Unclear or inadequate policies relating to LE activity may jeopardize the health and
privacy of violently injured patients. Primary areas identified for improvement include
clarifying and revising hospital policies, education of staff and LE officers, and
improved communication between health care providers and LE officers to better protect
patient rights.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 28, 2022
Accepted:
November 6,
2022
Received in revised form:
October 31,
2022
Received:
March 1,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
