Child Abuse

(Providers) Some topics are important to review time and time again. Management of suspected child abuse is one of those topics.
Let's review some of the basics:
As health care providers, we are mandated reporters of suspected abuse. This does not mean that we have to prove that abuse occured, just that we have a concern. If you think you might need to report something, then you probably should be reporting it.
Locally, we have the REACH clinic with providers on-call 24 hours per day. They prefer to hear about cases sooner versus later so, do not hesitate to call the REACH provider.
If you are seeing a patient in a clinic or off site facility, you need to ensure they reach the ED/Hospital for evaluation. This might mean an ambulance ride to the ED, but at least you know they will arrive at the intended destination.
Nationwide, neglect is the most common type of abuse.

There are many articles on the topic. A relatively new one that provides for an interesting take on the evaluation of suspected abuse is Campbell, K.A., et al., Cost-effectiveness of Head Computed Tomography in Infants With Possible Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury. Pediatrics, 2007. 120(2): p. 295-304.