Press Releases: National
October 8, 2009
Kaiser Permanente Honored for Domestic Violence Prevention Program
Family Violence Prevention Fund presents award for strengthening the health care response to domestic violence
OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente and Brigid McCaw, MD, have received a “Heroes in Health Care” award for creating and implementing an innovative and comprehensive approach to domestic violence prevention. Dr. McCaw, medical director, Family Violence Prevention Program, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, will accept the award Oct. 10 from the Family Violence Prevention Fund at the organization’s National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence in New Orleans.
The award honors Dr. McCaw for training health care providers and creating health programs and policies improving the lives of victims of abuse. Kaiser Permanente is recognized for implementing one of the most comprehensive health system responses to domestic violence in the country.
Kaiser Permanente has a nationally recognized program for domestic violence prevention. It includes creating a supportive environment throughout the medical facility with the use of health education materials, posters, flyers and other information that encourages people to speak up about domestic violence. Clinicians have received training so they are comfortable raising this issue, providing a caring response and referring patients to onsite domestic violence services and offering information about community resources.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Brigid McCaw, Kaiser Permanente has done extraordinary and truly groundbreaking work to identify and help victims of domestic violence,” said Esta Soler, president of the Family Violence Prevention Fund. “It’s a model for the country. Victims of domestic violence in the Kaiser Permanente system are much more likely to get the support and services they need to protect themselves and their children.”
The program, which is being adopted throughout the organization’s eight regions, is enhanced by Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect®, the largest civilian electronic medical record in the world. KP HealthConnect, enables the organization’s 14,000-plus physicians to electronically access the medical record of members nationwide. It includes tools that make it easier for physicians to identify victims of domestic violence, provide a consistent caring response based on clinical practice recommendations, as well as make referrals to other Kaiser Permanente services and community resources.
“I am honored to receive this national recognition from the Family Violence Prevention Fund,” Dr. McCaw said. “The domestic violence prevention work we do at Kaiser Permanente is a great example of what can be accomplished with a coordinated, personalized team approach to care that is underscored by the patient/physician relationship.”
In 2009, the Family Violence Prevention Fund is presenting three awards, one of which will go to Kaiser Permanente and Dr. McCaw. This is the fifth year that the organization has given leadership awards. Past recipients of the award include U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D.-Calif.) and the late Edward M. Kennedy (D.-Mass), and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
