Estimating hospital charges associated with intimate violence

The cost of treating intimate violence can be estimated by using data collected by hospital-based programs that identify and document such violence. This article examines previous methods applied to estimate hospital charges associated with violence as well as our own experience using data collected by a hospital-based violence prevention program in Chicago, Illinois. Five basic steps for estimating hospital charges associated with treating intimate violence are described. These steps, and the discussion of difficulties associated with accomplishing them, are to guide researchers in examining hospital costs of intimate violence victims identified by hospital-based violence prevention programs.