Increasing Screening and Education for Human Trafficking in the Obstetric Department

Background: Human Trafficking, is a human rights violation with global public health implications. HT is associated with multiple health problems. Healthcare providers working in obstetrics departments are in a unique position to interact with trafficked persons. Lack of specific HT screening tools, training and education have been identified as barriers to recognizing HT victims. Objectives: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase victim identification and referrals by improving screening through implementation of an interdisciplinary screening tool into the EHR workflow and providing HT education. Methods: This project examined the impact of implementing a HT screening tool and education on patient screening and healthcare staff knowledge on the obstetrics unit. Participants completed a pre/posttest to assess knowledge change. Results: A total of 122 participants completed the HT education, 1871 patient charts were reviewed for screening pre implementation and 505 charts were reviewed post implementation of the HT screening tool and education. There was a statistically significant increase in staff knowledge of HT signs and symptoms after education. Screening tool results also indicated a significant increase in the percentage of patients that were screened for HT. Conclusions: Use of HT specific screening tools and education increases the number of patients screened for HT by health care workers among obstetrics patients