Aims Abusive head trauma (AHT) is one of the leading causes of death in children. In infants with serious head injury, the high prevalence of non-accidental causes mandates a systematic and thorough approach to its investigation.(1,2) We aimed to study adherence to our hospital protocol and reviewed reasons for any deviation.

Methods A multi-source search strategy identified all children admitted to our tertiary paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between 2011 and 2012 with head injury or abnormal cranial imaging. Those with identified causes were excluded. A retrospective review of the remaining eligible case notes was carried out. Interdisciplinary discussion and analysis of results was then undertaken.

Results 33 case records were identified; 24 sets of paper notes and 9 with electronic records. For 15 children, all aged <12 months, the working diagnosis on admission was AHT (no history or reported assault); 9 had alternative explanations for head trauma. 32 survived to discharge.

Conclusions Overall adherence to the protocol was poor, and this was consistent with two previous hospital audits (in 2006 and 2009). Subsequent interdisciplinary discussion has identified disagreement about appropriateness of some parts of the protocol – these are being revised to ensure multi-speciality agreement. Other important modifiable factors identified included accessibility and knowledge of the protocol, clarity of wording and layout and practical difficulties in implementation. Technological and process-based solutions have been introduced, and a re-audit is planned.

Making a hospital-wide change in practice requires more than just a new guideline – it needs widespread ongoing consultation with stakeholders and a continuous evaluation of processes to ensure achievement of the original objectives.

References

1. Jayawant S, Rawlinson A, Gibbon F, Price J, Schulte J, Sharples P, et al. Subdural haemorrhages in infants: population based study. BMJ 1998 Dec 5;317(7172):1558–61

2. Child Protection Companion 2nd edition. London : RCPCH; 2013