To Report or Not to Report: Emergency Services Response to Elder Abuse

Jeffrey S Jones · George M. Walker · Jon R. Krohmer

26 citations0/0 files storedPrehospital and Disaster Medicine

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Elder Abuse and Neglect Intimate Partner and Family Violence Child Abuse and Related Trauma

Abstract

PURPOSE: Prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, as initial responders to calls for assistance, are in an ideal position to identify abused or neglected elderly. A survey of prehospital personnel in Michigan was conducted to determine the scope of this problem, levels of awareness, and willingness to report cases of elder abuse. METHODS: The study population was a random sample of 500 prehospital personnel throughout one state. A blinded, self-administered survey was completed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics outlining their practice characteristics, prevalence of abuse in their community, and training available specific to elder abuse. Attitudes concerning the understanding and reporting of geriatric abuse were measured using a Likert-type scale. RESULTS: A total of 156 surveys (31%) was completed; 68% of the respondents were paramedics. Respondents had an average of 8.7 years (range: 9 months-30 years) of prehospital emergency-care experience, and evaluated an average of 11 patients (range: 1-59) older than 65 years of age each week. Seventy-eight percent had seen a suspected case of elder abuse or negligence during their careers; 68% had seen a case during the past 12 months (mean: 2.3 cases/yr; range: 0-24 cases/yr). However, surveyed personnel reported only 27% of suspected cases to authorities last year (mean: 0.62 cases/yr). Reasons for not reporting included 1) unsure which authorities take reports; 2) unclear definitions; 3) unaware of mandatory reporting laws; and 4) lack of anonymity. Ninety-five percent of respondents stated that training related to elder abuse was not available through their EMS agency. CONCLUSION: Paramedics and EMTs lack complete understanding of their role in the identification and reporting of elder abuse. This information should be emphasized during EMS training and reinforced through continuing education.

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References

1993Diagnostic and treatment guidelines on elder abuse and neglect 1988Elder Abuse: Ten Years Later 1988Emergency department protocol for the diagnosis and evaluation of geriatric abuse 1990Abuse and neglect of the elderly: Are emergency department personnel aware of mandatory reporting laws?

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1996Nurses' Reasoning in the Assessment of Family Violence 1994Elder Abuse and Neglect: Responding to a National Problem 1994Addressing Family Violence Among Dental Patients: Assessment and Intervention 2018Elder Abuse Identification in the Prehospital Setting: An Examination of State Emergency Medical Services Protocols 2011Elder Abuse and Oral Health Care Providers: An Intervention to Increase Knowledge and Self-Perceived Likelihood to Report 1997Identifying Victims of Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Training Video for Prehospital Personnel 2009Elder Mistreatment Reporting: Differences in the Threshold of Reporting between Hospice and Palliative Care Professionals and Adult Protective Service

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