NSW Health and Medical Research

Detecting child abuse and neglect in the emergency department

Mid North Coast Local Health District

Grant:
  • Translational Research Grants Scheme
Date Funded:
  • 31 May, 2017
Chief Investigator/s:
  • Tara Flemington

This pilot study will determine the clinical utility and uptake of a child abuse and neglect E-Checklist in rural and metropolitan emergency departments. It will also determine if this E-Checklist and training improves clinician documentation and referral of suspected abuse cases, and clinician self-efficacy and outcome expectations when responding to non-accidental injury.

This project will audit the emergency department records of children aged twelve and under, who have presented to the emergency department with an injury. Following this an E-Checklist will be incorporated into the Electronic Medical Record directing clinicians to consider ‘red flag’ indicators of non-accidental injury. A training program will be provided to clinicians alongside the E-Checklist.

Collaborators: NSW Health, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, eHealth