Abstract
The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase the use of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) screens in the primary care setting by family nurse practitioners. Women are more likely to be subjected to IPV and SV across all ages, races, and socioeconomic classes than men. Women aged nineteen to sixty-five should be screened by a family or primary provider at all well-woman exams for a history of abuse or current abuse. The literature review will prove that research on IPV and SV screening is limited and dated. More recently, the Healthy People 2020 objectives included reducing rates of violence across the globe including IPV and SV. Donabedian's quality framework was used to create a quality improvement project that focused on the use of the HITS screening tool in the primary care setting to detect IPV. Providers were educated on the use of the tool, what constitutes a positive screen, and what resources are available in the community to provide to the patient. A pre and post-survey took place prior to and after implementation of the HITS screening tool. The pre and post-surveys were completed by the providers who were educated on the use of the HITS tool. There were many barriers and facilitators to implementing a new protocol in the primary care setting. Women should be screened for IPV and SV to prevent emotional and physical trauma and reduce healthcare costs.