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Study finds docs overlook abuse in ER visits
Monday, November 03, 2008 | No comments posted.
PORTLAND (AP) — Two new studies suggest that doctors miss signs of abuse for many women and children during their first visit to an emergency room.
The Oregon Health & Science University studies found that 30 percent of children eventually diagnosed with child abuse did not have the diagnosis recorded until at least their second visit.
The studies found that 7 percent had three or more visits before the abuse was diagnosed.
For women who were identified as abuse victims, half had at least one prior visit to the emergency department without receiving a diagnosis of abuse, while 17 percent had four or more visits.
The studies were taken from records at 23 rural and urban Oregon emergency departments from February 2001 to August 2005.
The Oregon Health & Science University studies found that 30 percent of children eventually diagnosed with child abuse did not have the diagnosis recorded until at least their second visit.
The studies found that 7 percent had three or more visits before the abuse was diagnosed.
For women who were identified as abuse victims, half had at least one prior visit to the emergency department without receiving a diagnosis of abuse, while 17 percent had four or more visits.
The studies were taken from records at 23 rural and urban Oregon emergency departments from February 2001 to August 2005.
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