Boston doctor builds tool to identify patients at risk for intimate partner violence

“I take it very personally. I’m an Emergency Radiologist. I’m a gatekeeper. I look at the imaging studies, decide if the patient should stay here and get admitted or discharged… For non-accidental trauma in children, we do such an excellent job. And then, when it comes to adults, we were not doing anything.

Obvious red flags include “target” and “defensive” injuries. An abuser’s target is often the victim’s head and face: orbital bones near the eye and cheekbones. Mid-facial fractures are, sadly, common in patients experiencing Intimate Partner Violence. Defensive injuries occur when patients try to protect themselves. Dr. Khurana explains that a broken forearm bone (ulna) near the pinky finger can be a sign that a patient has raised an arm to protect his or her face. By contrast, a broken arm bone (radius) near the thumb is common among patients who try to brace themselves for a fall. Radiological studies provided key data for the AIRS tool’s creation. But it also includes so much more. Information in a patient’s history (past ER visits, old fractures, medication, canceled screenings, etc.) that would take a long time for a busy radiologist to find and compile human being to compile is quickly gathered using the tool and provided-as an assessment-in real time while a healthcare provider reads the image. Link to full story here.