Looking for thoughts around an issue that our team is struggling with. We've seen an uptick of physical abuse photos being placed in children's charts by various folks. Personally, I don't agree with the practice. I find it unnecessary, a violation of the child's dignity, and even potentially a set-up for miscommunication if the provider seeing a historical note doesn't take the time to learn the details of the event ( ex. bruise caused by babysitter, not parents). The debate is whether or not the pictures are evidence- I believe the answer is yes and therefore we should strive to meet admissibility standards with photos taken by our pedi FNEs and protected by the same process as genital photos. I don't feel there is any medical value per se to have the pictures available in the chart. I also find that folks do scant documentation and let the photos do the talking, so to speak. The prevailing thought is that pedi FNEs do not need to be called in and that anyone can take a photo.
Thankfully, we do have a solid protocol for genital pictures that is known and followed.
Does anyone have a policy to share or strategy ideas to change peoples minds?
Thanks yet again!
Tracey Wagner RN, MSN, CPN, SANE-P