NCJ Number
60435
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
UPDATED STAFF GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING CHILD ABUSE DIRECT AN INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT OF COORDINATOR, SOCIAL WORKER, ATTORNEY, NURSE PEDIATRICIAN, AND PSYCHIATRIST IN HOSPITAL PROCEDURES.
Abstract
THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, REVISED ITS GUIDELINES TO ASSIST ITS TRAUMA X TEAM, FORMED IN 1970, TO DEAL WITH CASES OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THE ROLES OF THE TEAM MEMBERS ARE EXPLAINED, AS IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TEAM AND THE PATIENT MANAGEMENT STAFF. LEGAL CONCERNS AND PERTINENT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS, AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT ABUSED/NEGLECT REPORTS (51A) ARE INCLUDED WITH COPIES OF THE FORMS. BECAUSE THIS IS A GUIDELINE AND NOT A REPORT NO EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TEAM IS GIVEN. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE HOSPITAL IS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CHILD ABUSE WHEN IT IS SUSPECTED BY OFFERING MEDICAL, SOCIAL, AND LEGAL AID. THE TRAUMA X TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO ANY PROFESSIONAL FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION, INFORMATION GATHERING, MONITORING, OR CONSULTATION. WEEKLY REVIEW MEETINGS AND ROUNDS ON CARE AND REFERRAL ARE SCHEDULED AND TEAM MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND. THE CHAIRPERSON SERVES AS THE HOSPITAL'S PRIMARY REPRESENTATIVE. THE COORDINATOR KEEPS INFORMED AND MAINTAINS RECORDS FOR THE TEAM, ARRANGES FOLLOWUP, AND MAKES STATUS REPORTS. THE PEDIATRICIAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION AND LIAISON WITH THE MEDICAL STAFF. THE SOCIAL WORKER ACTS AS LIAISON BETWEEN THE TEAM AND THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IS A MANAGEMENT RESOURCE PERSON FOR THE TEAM. THE NURSE AND PSYCHIATRIST OFFER RESPONSES TO PARTICULAR CASES AND AID IN INSERVICE EDUCATION. THE ATTORNEY DIRECTS AND CLARIFIES LEGAL ISSUES AND ACTS AS LIAISON BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND TEAM, AND LEGAL AUTHORITIES. (RFC)