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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital To Host Domestic Violence Awareness Program For Healthcare Professionals

Somerville, N.J. (July 9, 2014) – Domestic violence is a major public health concern that affects four to six million relationships each year in the United States. In New Jersey, there were 70,311 domestic violence offenses reported, according to the latest data from the New Jersey State Police. Seeking to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and resources necessary to provide services to abused women and men and create a more comfortable screening environment for victims,Robert Wood John University Hospital (RWJUH) will host a free domestic violence awareness seminar for healthcare professionals on July 15, 2014, from 12 PM – 3 PM at RWJUH’s Somerset Campus.

RWJUH’s Domestic Violence & The Role of The Healthcare Provider: Assessment and Intervention Strategies will inform healthcare professionals about the dynamics of abusive relationships and the clinical signs of abuse, which are critical when identifying and treating victims. Additionally, the seminar will present strategies to overcome barriers that have shown to hinder screenings and services for domestic violence victims in the healthcare system. Participants in the program will also be learn a variety of screening methods which will allow for significantly higher detection rates, helping victims become aware of help and resources available.  

“Victims of domestic violence utilize the healthcare system as much as 2.5 times more often as non-abused patients,” said Elaine Hewins, RWJUH’s Domestic Violence Education Coordinator. “Sadly, issues of domestic violence occur in communities throughout our state and healthcare professionals can play a key role in addressing the issue of domestic violence by identifying victims, offering support, and referring patients to community agencies.”

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A similar program was first held at RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus in the spring of 2012 and twice throughout 2013. All three programs were very successful further demonstrating the expansion of services to the Somerset campus following the merger. Research on the initial program confirms that with each healthcare professional whose knowledge and skills are increased in this area, hundreds of patients will benefit on an annual basis. Feedback from last year’s program indicated that 77.7 percent of healthcare providers who attended felt better prepared to serve their patients who are victims/survivors of domestic violence as a direct result of the training.

The free CME / CNE certified seminar will be presented by Anna Trautwein, RNC, Practice Administrator, Women’s Ambulatory Care services from Saint Peter’s University Hospital and is jointly provided by the Center for Continuing and Outreach Education at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and is supported by an educational grant from the Verizon Foundation. Healthcare professionals must register by July 10, 2014, to attend the program.  Non-healthcare providers and / or guests are not permitted to attend. For more information please contact Elaine Hewins of RWJUH New Brunswick at 732-828-3000 ext. 5064 or Elaine.hewins@rwjuh.edu.

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About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is a 965-bed academic medical center with campuses in New Brunswick and Somerville, NJ.  Its Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, joint replacement, and women’s and children’s care including The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (www.bmsch.org).  As the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the principal teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, RWJUH is an innovative leader in advancing state-of-the-art care. A Level 1 Trauma Center and the only Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.

RWJUH has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report seven times and has been selected by the publication as a high performing hospital in numerous specialties.  The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years.

Both the New Brunswick and Somerset campuses have earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety, including the prestigious Magnet® Award for Nursing Excellence, an “A” patient safety rating from the Leapfrog Group and “Most Wired” designation by Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine. The Joint Commission and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services have designated the New Brunswick Campus as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and the Somerset Campus as a Primary Stroke Center.

The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer has rated RWJUH New Brunswick among the nation’s best comprehensive cancer centers and designated the Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJ Somerset as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center.  The Joint Surgery Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for total knee and total hip replacement surgery.

For more Information visit us online at www.rwjuh.edu

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