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Rosen T, Zhang H, Wen K, Clark S, Elman A, Jeng P, Baek D, Zhang Y, Gassoumis Z, Fettig N, Pillemer K, Lachs MS, Bao Y. Emergency Department and Hospital Utilization Among Older Adults Before and After Identification of Elder Mistreatment. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2255853. [PMID: 36787139 PMCID: PMC9929702 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.55853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Elder mistreatment is common and has serious health consequences. Little is known, however, about patterns of health care utilization among older adults experiencing elder mistreatment. Objective To examine emergency department (ED) and hospital utilization of older adults experiencing elder mistreatment in the period surrounding initial mistreatment identification compared with other older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective case-control study used Medicare insurance claims to examine older adults experiencing elder mistreatment initially identified between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2012, and control participants matched on age, sex, race and ethnicity, and zip code. Statistical analysis was performed in April 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures We used multiple measures of ED and hospital utilization patterns (eg, new and return visits, frequency, urgency, and hospitalizations) in the 12 months before and after mistreatment identification. Data were adjusted using US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hierarchical Condition Categories risk scores. Chi-squared tests and conditional logistic regression models were used for data analyses. Results This study included 114 case patients and 410 control participants. Their median age was 72 years (IQR, 68-78 years), and 340 (64.9%) were women. Race and ethnicity were reported as racial or ethnic minority (114 [21.8%]), White (408 [77.9%]), or unknown (2 [0.4%]). During the 24 months surrounding identification of elder mistreatment, older adults experiencing mistreatment were more likely to have had an ED visit (77 [67.5%] vs 179 [43.7%]; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.95 [95% CI, 1.78-4.91]; P < .001) and a hospitalization (44 [38.6%] vs 108 [26.3%]; AOR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.13-3.21]; P = .02) compared with other older adults. In addition, multiple ED visits, at least 1 ED visit for injury, visits to multiple EDs, high-frequency ED use, return ED visits within 7 days, ED visits for low-urgency issues, multiple hospitalizations, at least 1 hospitalization for injury, hospitalization at multiple hospitals, and hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions were substantially more likely for individuals experiencing elder mistreatment. The rate of ED and hospital utilization for older adults experiencing elder mistreatment was much higher in the 12 months after identification than before, leading to more pronounced differences between case patients and control participants in postidentification utilization. During the 12 months after identification of elder mistreatment, older adults experiencing mistreatment were particularly more likely to have had high-frequency ED use (12 [10.5%] vs 8 [2.0%]; AOR, 8.23 [95% CI, 2.56-26.49]; P < .001) and to have visited the ED for low-urgency issues (12 [10.5%] vs 8 [2.0%]; AOR, 7.33 [95% CI, 2.54-21.18]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance In this case-control study of health care utilization, older adults experiencing mistreatment used EDs and hospitals more frequently and with different patterns during the period surrounding mistreatment identification than other older adults. Additional research is needed to better characterize these patterns, which may be helpful in informing early identification, intervention, and prevention of elder mistreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Rosen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Katherine Wen
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Sunday Clark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
| | - Alyssa Elman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
| | - Philip Jeng
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Daniel Baek
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
| | - Yiye Zhang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Zach Gassoumis
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles
| | | | - Karl Pillemer
- College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Mark S. Lachs
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
| | - Yuhua Bao
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Rosen T, Bao Y, Zhang Y, Clark S, Wen K, Elman A, Jeng P, Bloemen E, Lindberg D, Krugman R, Campbell J, Bachman R, Fulmer T, Pillemer K, Lachs M. Identifying patterns of health care utilisation among physical elder abuse victims using Medicare data and legally adjudicated cases: protocol for case-control study using data linkage and machine learning. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e044768. [PMID: 33550264 PMCID: PMC7925867 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Physical elder abuse is common and has serious health consequences but is under-recognised and under-reported. As assessment by healthcare providers may represent the only contact outside family for many older adults, clinicians have a unique opportunity to identify suspected abuse and initiate intervention. Preliminary research suggests elder abuse victims may have different patterns of healthcare utilisation than other older adults, with increased rates of emergency department use, hospitalisation and nursing home placement. Little is known, however, about the patterns of this increased utilisation and associated costs. To help fill this gap, we describe here the protocol for a study exploring patterns of healthcare utilisation and associated costs for known physical elder abuse victims compared with non-victims. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We hypothesise that various aspects of healthcare utilisation are differentially affected by physical elder abuse victimisation, increasing ED/hospital utilisation and reducing outpatient/primary care utilisation. We will obtain Medicare claims data for a series of well-characterised, legally adjudicated cases of physical elder abuse to examine victims' healthcare utilisation before and after the date of abuse detection. We will also compare these physical elder abuse victims to a matched comparison group of non-victimised older adults using Medicare claims. We will use machine learning approaches to extend our ability to identify patterns suggestive of potential physical elder abuse exposure. Describing unique patterns and associated costs of healthcare utilisation among elder abuse victims may improve the ability of healthcare providers to identify and, ultimately, intervene and prevent victimisation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This project has been reviewed and approved by the Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Review Board, protocol #1807019417, with initial approval on 1 August 2018. We aim to disseminate our results in peer-reviewed journals at national and international conferences and among interested patient groups and the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Rosen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuhua Bao
- Department of Health Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yiye Zhang
- Department of Health Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sunday Clark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine Wen
- Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alyssa Elman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Jeng
- Department of Health Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elizabeth Bloemen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Daniel Lindberg
- The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Richard Krugman
- The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jacquelyn Campbell
- John Hopkins University School of Nursing, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ronet Bachman
- Department of Criminology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Terry Fulmer
- John A Hartford Foundation, New York, New York, USA
| | - Karl Pillemer
- Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Mark Lachs
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
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Rosen T, LoFaso VM, Bloemen EM, Clark S, McCarthy TJ, Reisig C, Gogia K, Elman A, Markarian A, Flomenbaum NE, Sharma R, Lachs MS. Identifying Injury Patterns Associated With Physical Elder Abuse: Analysis of Legally Adjudicated Cases. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 76:266-276. [PMID: 32534832 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Elder abuse is common and has serious health consequences but is underrecognized by health care providers. An important reason for this is difficulty in distinguishing between elder abuse and unintentional trauma. Our goal was to identify injury patterns associated with physical elder abuse in comparison with those of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with unintentional falls. METHODS We partnered with a large, urban district attorney's office and examined medical, police, and legal records from successfully prosecuted cases of physical abuse of victims aged 60 years or older from 2001 to 2014. RESULTS We prospectively enrolled patients who presented to a large, urban, academic ED after an unintentional fall. We matched 78 cases of elder abuse with visible injuries to 78 unintentional falls. Physical abuse victims were significantly more likely than unintentional fallers to have bruising (78% versus 54%) and injuries on the maxillofacial, dental, and neck area (67% versus 28%). Abuse victims were less likely to have fractures (8% versus 22%) or lower extremity injuries (9% versus 41%). Abuse victims were more likely to have maxillofacial, dental, or neck injuries combined with no upper and lower extremity injuries (50% versus 8%). Examining precise injury locations yielded additional differences, with physical elder abuse victims more likely to have injuries to the left cheek or zygoma (22% versus 3%) or on the neck (15% versus 0%) or ear (6% versus 0%). CONCLUSION Specific, clinically identifiable differences may exist between unintentional injuries and those from physical elder abuse. This includes specific injury patterns that infrequently occur unintentionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Rosen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
| | - Veronica M LoFaso
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | | | - Sunday Clark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | | | - Christopher Reisig
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Kriti Gogia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Alyssa Elman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Arlene Markarian
- Elder Abuse Unit, King's County District Attorney's Office, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Neal E Flomenbaum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Rahul Sharma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Mark S Lachs
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
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Rosen T, Reisig C, LoFaso VM, Bloemen EM, Clark S, McCarthy TJ, Mtui EP, Flomenbaum NE, Lachs MS. Describing visible acute injuries: development of a comprehensive taxonomy for research and practice. Inj Prev 2016; 23:340-345. [PMID: 27913598 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little literature exists classifying and comprehensively describing intentional and unintentional acute injuries, which would be valuable for research and practice. In preparation for a study of injury patterns in elder abuse, our goal was to develop a comprehensive taxonomy of relevant types and characteristics of visible acute injuries and evaluate it in geriatric patients. METHODS We conducted an exhaustive review of the medical and forensic literature focusing on injury types, descriptions, patterns and analyses. We then prepared iteratively, through consensus with a multidisciplinary, national panel of elder abuse experts, a comprehensive classification system to describe these injuries. RESULTS We designed a three-step process to fully describe and classify visible acute injuries: (1) determining the type of injury, (2) assigning values to each of the characteristics common to all geriatric injuries and (3) assigning values to additional characteristics relevant for specific injuries. We identified nine unique types of visible injury and seven characteristics critical to describe all these injuries, including body region(s) and precise anatomic location(s). For each injury type, we identified two to seven additional critical characteristics, such as size, shape and cleanliness. We pilot tested it on 323 injuries on 83 physical elder abuse victims and 45 unintentional fall victims from our ongoing research to ensure that it would allow for the complete and accurate description of the full spectrum of visible injuries encountered and made modifications and refinements based on this experience. We then used the classification system to evaluate 947 injuries on 80 physical elder abuse victims and 195 unintentional fall victims to assess its practical utility. CONCLUSIONS Our comprehensive injury taxonomy systematically integrates and expands on existing forensic and clinical research. This new classification system may help standardise description of acute injuries and patterns among clinicians and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Rosen
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher Reisig
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.,Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Veronica M LoFaso
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Sunday Clark
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Thomas J McCarthy
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Estomih P Mtui
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Neal E Flomenbaum
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark S Lachs
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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Beach SR, Carpenter CR, Rosen T, Sharps P, Gelles R. Screening and detection of elder abuse: Research opportunities and lessons learned from emergency geriatric care, intimate partner violence, and child abuse. J Elder Abuse Negl 2016; 28:185-216. [PMID: 27593945 PMCID: PMC7339956 DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2016.1229241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This article provides an overview of elder abuse screening and detection methods for community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults, including general issues and challenges for the field. Then, discussions of applications in emergency geriatric care, intimate partner violence (IPV), and child abuse are presented to inform research opportunities in elder abuse screening. The article provides descriptions of emerging screening and detection methods and technologies from the emergency geriatric care and IPV fields. We also discuss the variety of potential barriers to effective screening and detection from the viewpoint of the older adult, caregivers, providers, and the health care system, and we highlight the potential harms and unintended negative consequences of increased screening and mandatory reporting. We argue that research should continue on the development of valid screening methods and tools, but that studies of perceived barriers and potential harms of elder abuse screening among key stakeholders should also be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R. Beach
- University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher R. Carpenter
- Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tony Rosen
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Phyllis Sharps
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Gelles
- School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Eulitt PJ, Tomberg RJ, Cunningham TD, Counselman FL, Palmer RM. Screening elders in the emergency department at risk for mistreatment: a pilot study. J Elder Abuse Negl 2015; 26:424-35. [PMID: 24635639 DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2014.903549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Impaired functional status is associated with risk of elder mistreatment. Screening for functional impairment in elderly patients admitted to emergency departments could be performed to identify patients at risk for elder mistreatment who might benefit from further evaluation. This study utilized a modified Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) screening tool to identify the proportion of elderly at risk for mistreatment due to functional difficulties presenting to two emergency departments in southeastern Virginia, one urban, the other rural. Of a 180-patient cohort (90 per site), 82 screened positive (46%), ISAR > 2 (range 0-6), indicating nearly half of all patients enrolled are at risk for mistreatment. Patients presenting to the urban emergency departments were potentially more at risk than their rural counterparts (p < 0.01). Health care professionals, particularly in urban settings, should consider screening seniors with a simple tool to identify patients at risk of elder mistreatment.
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Abstract
Elder abuse and neglect are highly prevalent but woefully underdetected and underreported. The presentation is rarely clear and requires the piecing together of clues that create a mosaic of the full picture. More research needed to better characterize findings that, when identified, can contribute to certainty in cases of suspected abuse. Medical and laboratory data can be helpful in the successful determination of abuse and neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica M LoFaso
- New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, Box 39, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Tony Rosen
- New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, Box 39, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Elder abuse and neglect: definitions, epidemiology, and approaches to emergency department screening. Clin Geriatr Med 2013. [PMID: 23177610 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Elder abuse and neglect is estimated to affect approximately 700,000 to 1.2 million elderly people a year with an estimated annual cost of tens of billions of dollars. Despite the large population at risk, its significant morbidity and mortality, and substantial cost to society, elder abuse continues to be underrecognized and underreported. This article aims to increase the awareness of elder abuse by reviewing the demographics, epidemiology, and risk factors of elder abuse, followed by a discussion of screening tools and ways to increase awareness and reporting.
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Palmer M, Brodell RT, Mostow EN. Elder abuse: dermatologic clues and critical solutions. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012; 68:e37-42. [PMID: 23058735 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2010] [Revised: 02/13/2011] [Accepted: 03/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Elder abuse affects approximately 2% to 10% of older Americans. Unfortunately, it is often unrecognized and certainly underreported. Dermatologists have a unique role in the detection and reporting of elder abuse. An analysis of risk factors, clinical signs, reporting requirements, and prevention of elder abuse brings this issue into focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Palmer
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio 44307, USA
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Rinker AG. Recognition and perception of elder abuse by prehospital and hospital-based care providers. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2007; 48:110-5. [PMID: 18160115 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2007.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2007] [Revised: 11/02/2007] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the extent of exposure, knowledge and attitudes of prehospital care providers (PCPs) and hospital care providers (HCPs) to elder abuse and neglect. A 20-question survey was designed to determine the providers' perception, knowledge and ability to identify patients that were potential victims of elder abuse and/or neglect. The surveys were distributed at four Maryland statewide conferences during 2006. A total of 645 surveys were distributed at the start of the individual conferences and 400 completed surveys were returned. Of the respondents, 272 (68.2%) were PCP (emergency medical services=EMSs) and 127 (31.8%) were HCP. During the past 12 months, 51.3% of those surveyed did not have reason to suspect any patients were exposed to abuse or neglect, although 60.5% admitted little or no contact with the elderly. In an attempt to determine respondent's ability to recognize potential abuse and neglect patients, scenario-type questions were used. Respondents believed a decubital ulcer (bedsore) was a positive indicator (83.5%) of abuse/neglect and 92.8% indicated that the elderly could suffer from injuries similar to "shaken-baby syndrome". When questioned about skin bruises as a possible indicator of abuse, only 69.3% of the respondents identified it as a possible sign of abuse. Seventy-one percent of respondents indicated that burns are not common in the elderly and could be another sign of elder abuse. One-in-three providers indicated they would suspect other reasons (dementia, depression, etc.) for the report of a sexual assault in an elderly patient. Eighty-nine percent of providers were aware that healthcare providers in the State of Maryland are required to report suspected elder and vulnerable patient abuse and/or neglect to law enforcement or social services' agencies. When asked to define elder abuse as a medical or social problem, 25.0% of providers stated that it was a social problem. Over 95% of the providers suspected the existence of abuse, neglect and domestic violence among the elderly were not rare events. In Maryland, there are a limited number of specific educational programs dealing with abuse and neglect of the elderly. A statewide training program is needed to ensure PCP and HCP can recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect, and to ensure that the providers are aware of their legal requirements for reporting the abuse to the proper state or local agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin G Rinker
- Paramedic, Community Rescue Service, Inc., and Emergency Services Program, Paramedic Emergency Services, Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742-6590, USA.
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