Sentinel Injuries

Objectives

  • Define the term "sentinel injury"
  • Compare the frequency of various sentinel injuries 
  • Explain how sentinel injuries are identified
  • Recognize potential biases in the detection and reporting of sentinel injuries
  • Explain the impact of failing to recognize and report sentinel injuries 

CHAMP Education for Child Abuse Medical Providers

Accessible Version

I have five main objectives for this discussion. First, I'd like to define the term sentinel injury, as I imagine this may be a new term for some of you who are participating in this activity. Second, I will be comparing the frequency of various sentinel injuries. I think it's important for you to know the most common sentinel injury. Because it's approximately eight times as common as the other injuries on this list. I will spend some time explaining how sentinel injuries are identified. The fourth objective is to recognize potential biases in the detection and reporting of sentinel injuries. And fifth, I will also explain the impact of failing to recognize and report sentinel injuries.