tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2006 Issue 8

Reader Questions: Child-Abuse Victims Often Have Unexplained Injuries

Question: I am a new coder at a local ED. Recently, a child and her father showed up. The child had bruises on both arms and was bleeding from the nose. The father said she fell down the stairs, but the physician suspected child abuse because the injuries and the description of the accident did not mesh. I want to be able to identify potential child-abuse victims. What are some common symptoms/behaviors of an abused child?Kentucky Subscriber Answer: Each type of child abuse -- physical, emotional, sexual -- tends to manifest itself in different symptoms or behaviors. But...

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