Comparison of the quality and completeness of the medical record and the proportion of appropriate referrals for suspected abusive injury of young children.

Grant ID: EMSS-2008-012-PITT-IMPROVE-DETECT-INJURY

Project Summary

This study examines the data gathered and documented in patient charts with respect to the possibility of abusive injury in presentations by injured children under 3 years of age, as well as conclusions made by the treating doctor with respect to the possibility of abusive injury, and whether or not a consultation with an emergency or child protection specialist was made in reference to this issue.

These data are compared:
1/ Between two sample periods at the Mater Children’s Hospital before and after the introduction of an electronically generated proforma to prompt such data collection
2/ Between these samples and a matched sample from Royal Children’s Hospital which uses the prompting proforma but generates this manually.

Outcomes may include an increased likelihood of early detection of intentional trauma to children, and a clearer understanding of the context (benefits, challenges, impediments and opportunities) related to the application of an early detection surveillance referral tool.

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