Closing the Gap: Education for Emergency Department Nurses in the Use of Human Trafficking and Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tools

Background There is an identified educational gap in ED nurses regarding their comfort in screening for victims of human trafficking (HT) and intimate partner violence (IPV). Aim To increase nurses’ knowledge about HT and IPV, legal requirements, available resources, and the use of an EHR screening tool. Methods A single-session 30-minute educational intervention on HT, IPV, and screening was delivered, with pre-evaluation and post-evaluation. Results Of the 15 participants, there was a significant increase in staff understanding of caring for victims of HT and IPV after the intervention. Specifically, nurses’ knowledge increased in areas such as defining HT and IPV, identifying HT “Red Flags,” and adopting a trauma-informed care approach. Conclusions A brief educational intervention can improve ED nurses’ knowledge and confidence regarding HT and IPV identification and screening. Further longitudinal research is warranted to assess outcomes over time and the possible need for ongoing professional development on HT and IPV screening.