Dissertation (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2008 Supervisor(s): Koziol-McLain, Jane

This thesis examines the rate and frequency of family violence ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) coding in the acute health care system. A descriptive, quantitative design was used to examine ICD coding of family violence in a New Zealand District Health Board over a three year period using data from an electronic report of discharges for all women aged 15 to 74 years for whom a family violence ICD-10 discharge code was designated. The study found the overall rate of family violence coded admissions was 8.19 per 1,000 admissions. Family violence was documented in 624 of 76,188 admissions, representing less than 1% of all admissions. The study demonstrates the difference between the rate of family violence shown in the District Health Board's ICD-10 coding data and the rate of family violence reported across numerous New Zealand studies. The author explores the extent to which the under reporting of family violence found in the study may be attributed to a failure in practice or coding processes. For ICD coding to be a reliable indicator of family violence among women in the acute health care system the following need to be present: family violence screening, clear and concise clinical documentation, and sharp coding skills. These three factors are examined in some detail with Implications for practice and research noted.

nz