Child abuse diagnosis and the emergency department chart

Failure to uncover and report nonaccidental injury may have serious consequences for the child and the physician. To determine if the information recorded in the emergency department record was adequate to eliminate the possibility of nonaccidental injury, the charts of 333 children under five years of age were reviewed. No charts contained all the information deemed necessary; in 12.6% a diagnosis of nonaccidental injury could not be eliminated. In three cases, the injury was inconsistent with the history. Missing historical information included where the injury occurred, the presence of witnesses, notation of previous injuries, and old chart review. Information regarding size, color, and age of the injury was incomplete. A complete examination was recorded 22.3% of the time. The private-pay category charts and those recorded by staff were most complete. Remedial actions, guided by periodic chart reviews, are suggested.