A computer match of medical records and child abuse reports provides a structure for hospitals

A computerized match of medical records and child abuse reports will provide hospitals with a tool that can help standardize programs statewide. California is developing this process to offer to all hospitals. This match in a computer system provides data for case and system management. Cases that are not reported may be selected by risk factors to see if possible child abuse was missed. The project began with 241 hospitals that admitted a child under age three for injury 2003-2007 (ICD9CM 800-999). Hospitals were ranked by the number of admission to narrow the process to the most active and contacts were designated for 67 hospitals. Medical records were computerized and reachable but abuse reports were generally on paper and often lost is separate files. Eight hospitals matched and evaluated 2009 cases. All found system problems to repair. The next steps is to computerize the child abuse reports and build a management system for the population of reported children. Several hospitals have used excel to computerize reports others will add child abuse to the computerized medical record. ICD9CM codes will still be used for hospital size and for a rough measure of possible abuse. We: 1) removed codes for injuries from medical and surgical care (996-999) 2) added symptoms signs and ill defined conditions (780-799) 3)found reported abuse with subdural bleeding noted as a medical condition not an injury 4) found E967 or 995.5 deaths a way to connect hospitals with child death review. A directory will connect counterparts between hospitals. Internet communications will help connect child abuse reports when a child is transferred for specialized medical care. Network professionals will create standards and protocols to better serve children. Program components will be updated with changes underway. Hospitals will be invited to join the process.