Every child, every time: hospital wide child abuse screening increases awareness and state reporting
PurposeA review of our child abuse evaluation system demonstrated a lack of standardization leading to low reporting levels. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to develop a standard child abuse screening tool; an education program increasing awareness to child abuse; and to measure the impact of the screening tool in reporting.MethodsA screening tool was developed and implemented for all trauma patients 15 years of age; staff was educated; and a child protection team (CPT) was established. Within 9 months, screening was extended to all patients admitted to the children's hospital. Screening compliance, number of child abuse reporting forms (CY 47) filed, and consultations to the CPT were monitored.ResultsInitially, there was an average screening compliance of 56% After making the program hospital wide, the compliance rate increased to an average of 96% and the average number of CPT consults increased from 2 to 10 per month. Over this study period, the average number of CY 47s filed increased from 6.1 to 7.3 per month.ConclusionsHospital wide use of an objective screening tool, frequent re education, and the support of an experienced child protection team led to improved child abuse screening compliance and more consistent suspected abuse reporting rates.
Pediatric Surgery International