AIRS

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive and critical public health problem, defined as physical, sexual, and emotional violence between partners or former partners. Despite its widespread occurrence, IPV remains significantly underdiagnosed due to victims’ fear, societal stigma, and barriers faced by healthcare providers. Early detection is vital to prevent the escalation of IPV into life-threatening situations. However, the current screening tools capture only a fraction of cases, highlighting the urgency for improved early detection to address this critical unmet medical and social need.

Scope of the problem

• According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVIS), a third of women (37.3%) and men (30.9%) experience IPV in their lifetime and 23.2% of women and 13.9% of men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner.
  – Smith SG, Zhang X, Basile KC, Merrick MT, Wang J, Kresnow M, Chen J. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief – Updated Release 2018.
• The consequences of IPV extend far beyond the immediate abuse, leading to adverse health outcomes that persist long after the abuse ends. The frequency and severity of abusive behavior can escalate over time, with the level of severity acting as a critical predictor of potential homicides.
  Miller E, McCaw B. Intimate Partner Violence. N Engl J Med. 2019 Feb 28;380(9):850-7.
• A staggering 55-58% of female homicides in the United States are committed by their intimate partner or family members. More than 70% of all murder suicides involve an intimate partner, with women representing 94% of victims.
  – Data Source
• The financial toll of IPV is substantial, surpassing $8.3 billion annually. Based on an estimated 43 million IPV victims, the lifetime economic burden amounts to a staggering $3.6 trillion, with government sources shouldering approximately $1.3 trillion of this burden.
  – Peterson C, Kearns MC, McIntosh WL, Estefan LF, Nicolaidis C, McCollister KE, Gordon A, Florence C. Lifetime Economic Burden of Intimate Partner Violence Among U.S. Adults. Am J Prev Med. 2018 Oct;55(4):433-44.

Automated  Intimate Partner Violence Risk Support system – AIRS 

An AI-driven system helping healthcare providers identify and support patients “at risk” and survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Distinguishing features of AIRS

• The AIRS tool is based on the integrated Holistic Artificial Intelligence for Medicine (HAIM) framework and uses both structured and unstructured data extracted from Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Our innovative AI algorithms, meticulously developed through interdisciplinary research and expert input, offer profound insights into the nature and potential ramifications of IPV for both patients and providers.
• By leveraging the power of technology, AIRS automatically analyzes historical patient data and generates a probability score for IPV risk for every patient at the point of care.
• The AIRS tool represents a significant advancement in objectively identifying IPV by eliminating unconscious human bias. It incorporates a range of strategies to mitigate bias and enhance its objectivity, interpretability, and transparency.
• Our integrated system emphasizes privacy, security, and ethical considerations. We adhere to strict protocols to protect patient data confidentiality while ensuring healthcare providers have access to the necessary information for making informed decisions in an unbiased, objective manner.
• The  AIRS “Caring Conversations” guide developed by TIRIC’s multidisciplinary team integrates trauma-informed care principles to empower healthcare clinicians in providing compassionate, resource-driven support to patients identified by the AIRS tool.
  

  AIRS Empower Guide on Caring Conversations

• Our AIRS Empower Guides for patients include two key resources: (1) the Universal Education Guide, which educates patients on AIRS alert, the importance of IPV awareness,, and its adverse effects;(2) the Support Roadmap Guide, which provides practical assistance for patients seeking help with accessing resources, creating a safety plan, understanding health risks related to IPV, and is complemented by psychoeducational videos to deepen support.

By identifying and addressing IPV at an early stage, the AIRS system aims to disrupt the cycle of violence, preventing the severe physical, mental, and social consequences associated with IPV. This proactive approach not only improves the lives of patients but also creates a ripple effect that supports healthier, safer communities. Our vision is a healthcare system where IPV is recognized and managed swiftly, empowering survivors to reclaim their lives and move toward a future free from violence.