A validated Screening instrument for Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) at the emergency department.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study is to develop and validate a screening instrument for the recognition of child maltreatment in the emergency department (ED). Existing data on screening questions and outcomes (diagnosis of child maltreatment) from three large observational screening studies at eight different EDs in the Netherlands were harmonized. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to develop the Screening instrument for Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN).

Implementation of the Dutch expertise centre for child abuse: descriptive data from the first 4 years.

Objective: Combined paediatric and forensic medical expertise to interpret physical findings is not available in Dutch healthcare facilities. The Dutch Expertise Centre for Child Abuse (DECCA) was founded in the conviction that this combination is essential in assessing potential physical child abuse. DECCA is a collaboration between the three paediatric hospitals and the Netherlands Forensic Institute.

[Screening for child abuse at emergency rooms is useful].

In the Netherlands screening of child abuse is obligatory at emergency departments. In spite of the modest detection rate, in our opinion there is sufficient evidence and reason to continue screening.

Accuracy of a screening instrument to identify potential child abuse in emergency departments.

Although screening for child abuse at emergency departments (EDs) increases the detection rate of potential child abuse, an accurate instrument is lacking. This study was designed to measure the accuracy of a screening instrument for detection of potential child abuse used in EDs. In a prospective cohort study at three Dutch EDs, a 6-item screening instrument for child abuse, Escape, was completed for each child visiting the ED.

Facilitators and barriers to screening for child abuse in the emergency department.

Background: To identify facilitators of, and barriers to, screening for child abuse in emergency departments (ED) through interviews with ED staff, members of the hospital Board, and related experts.

Methods: This qualitative study is based on semi-structured interviews with 27 professionals from seven Dutch hospitals (i.e.