Qureshi University, Advanced courses, via cutting edge technology, News, Breaking News | Latest News And Media | Current News
admin@qureshiuniversity.com

Admissions | Accreditation | A to Z Degree Fields | Books | Catalog | Colleges | Contact Us | Continents/States | Construction | Contracts | Distance Education | Emergency | Emergency Medicine | Examinations | English Editing Service | Forms | Grants | Hostels | Honorary Doctorate degree | Human Services | Human Resources | Internet | Investment | Instructors | Internship | Login | Lecture | Librarians | Manufacturing | Membership | Observers | Professional Examinations | Programs | Professions | Progress Report | Recommendations | Ration food and supplies | Research Grants | Researchers | Students login | School | Search | Software | Seminar | Study Center/Centre | Sponsorship | Tutoring | Thesis | Universities | Work counseling

Common Questions from Primary Care Physicians


What does __________ law say about reporting child abuse?

All health care professionals that take care of children including, physician, nurses, medical examiners, coroners, interns, resident, optometrists, and dentists are required by __________ state law to report if they know or have reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused. If you are reporting abuse, you are not specifically required to give your name. However, if you do not give your name, the ability of CPS to investigate the report is significantly limited.

How do I report abuse?

As a primary care physician, you should contact Child Protective Services Hotline at 1-800-752-6200. An intake worker will take your information and concerns. It is important to be specific with your concerns. Explain any injuries you see or suspect and why those injuries concern you. (For example, don’t assume an intake worker will know that a transverse femur fracture in a 12-month-old is NOT a common accidental injury). You should have the intake worker read back to you what information they have gathered from your conversation. You should leave a number for the social worker who gets assigned your case so they can contact you for feedback about your patient. Do not let a patient leave your office if you do not think they will be going to a safe environment.

When should bruising heighten my concern for child abuse?

Any bruises in a non-ambulating child

Any bruise in an abuse-concerning location such as: ear, frenulum, neck, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks or genitourinary

Any patterned bruising

History of “easy bruising” in an infant

Are photographs of injuries helpful?

Photographs of injuries can be extremely helpful in child abuse cases. Please take pictures of any bruises, burns, or other physical findings you are concerned about as these may change over time. You do not have to have consent from the family to take photographs when you are concerned about child abuse.

What are some signs and symptoms of abuse that are commonly misdiagnosed?

Infants with inflicted head trauma can present with vomiting without diarrhea (a sign of increased intracranial pressure) that can be misdiagnosed as gastroenteritis or reflux. Infants can be fussy or irritable and misdiagnosed as colic. Infants with inflicted head trauma can also present with apnea/ALTE or seizures.

What characteristics of a burn are concerning for abuse?

Any burn on an infant.

Burns that are on the buttocks, genital area, ankles, wrists, palms or soles of the feet.

Multiple burns with varying degrees of healing.

Burns where the proposed mechanism is beyond the developmental ability of the child (an 8-month-old climbing into tub and turning on hot water.)

Burns where the explanation is not consistent with the injury.

Any patterned/contact burn without a clear history.

What questions should I consider when I am worried about abuse?

Is this patient physiologically stable, and if not, what steps need to be taken immediately?

Is the patient and hospital/office staff safe now? (If not, contact security or law enforcement.)

If this patient may have been abused, what studies can help confirm or refute that diagnosis?

What studies can help identify or rule out mimics of abuse?

What studies are needed to assess for occult injuries or associated medical issues (sexually transmitted infections, etc.)?

If available, has the local child abuse medical team been consulted?

Can this assessment be completed here, or does the patient require transfer?

If so, what is the safest method of transportation? Do any of the injuries require treatment?

Is there medical or photographic evidence that needs collection or documentation?

Have the necessary questions been asked of the caregivers to fully assess the injury? (including timing, plausibility of mechanism, and alternative explanations)

If the child is old enough, has mental health been assessed and appropriate referrals made?

Are there any follow-up studies that need to be done later and have they been arranged? Have the necessary investigators (child protection services, law enforcement) been notified?

If not, when and by whom should the necessary investigators be notified?

If so, do the investigators understand the medical findings and their implications?

Is there reason to be concerned for the patient’s safety during transfer or after discharge?

If so, has this been communicated to investigators and has an appropriate protection plan been developed?

Are there siblings or other children in the same environment that need assessment or protection?

If so, has this been communicated to investigators?

Are medical providers being as kind and supportive to the patient and caregivers as possible?

Afterward, has the entire encounter been documented as thoroughly as possible?