Suspected child abuse. Procedure in the emergency room

Most cases of child maltreatment will be presented primarily in a pediatrician's office or in the emergency departments of children's hospitals. The purpose of this work was to determine which measures in the emergency room are necessary when child abuse is suspected and which standards should be adhered to in such situations. Presentation and discussion of a possible procedure flow sheet for suspected child maltreatment. A cautious and transparent approach towards the child and his/her guardians is important for the assessment of child abuse. Consistent strategies should be specified in written form to which the doctor on duty can adhere to in an emergency case. Procedures, diagnostic workup, and results should be documented precisely and elaborately, for example, with the aid of standardized documentation sheets and body diagrams. The establishment of an interdisciplinary child protection group has significant advantages for the case management in clinical practice. Case responsibility, transparence, and multiprofessional team work are essential in case of suspected child mistreatment, also in an emergency situation.