Children at risk of maltreatment: identification and intervention in the emergency department.

Child maltreatment is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality, described as one of the greatest threats facing the health, welfare, and social well-being of children in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). Despite mandatory reporting laws, the poignant reality is that this public health problem is significantly underrecognized and underreported by heath care providers. The purpose of this project was to implement a series of strategies in a pediatric emergency department to identify children who are at risk of maltreatment and initiate interventions to ensure their safety and protection before a devastating outcome occurs. The results of this project support the implementation of nursing education, a screening program for risk of child maltreatment, and collaboration with interdisciplinary stakeholders to achieve best practice in emergency medicine.