SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE TELE-ADVICE

Two new services have been added to the pediatrics category under Specialist Link’s tele-advice roster. Pediatric palliative care and suspected child abuse and neglect (SCAN).

Pediatric palliative medicine is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (except statutory holidays).

The service supports patients with complex palliative care symptoms and needs that include the following:

  • Pain

  • Nausea

  • Dyspnea

  • Constipation

  • Opioid toxicity

  • Delirium

  • Depression, anxiety, grief

This service can also support clarification of treatment goals and management plans, decision-making approaching end of life and access to pediatric hospice and family support.

Suspected child abuse and neglect (SCAN) is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (except statutory holidays).

Reasons to call the SCAN team:

  • You are concerned that a child may have experienced abuse and are not sure of next steps

  • A parent or child has disclosed abuse and you are not sure about next steps

  • A child has a physical finding suspicious for abuse and you would like to discuss this with a Child Maltreatment specialist

  • You have a patient that you think needs a sexual abuse examination

Please note that SCAN is not suitable if a child needs counselling for abuse (see Alberta Referral Directory for referral information).

Specialist Link offers over 50 tele-advice services, from addiction medicine to wound care. Requesting tele-advice is simple: Visit www.specialistlink.ca and click on the preferred service. You can also call 403-910-2551 and press 3, 6 for pediatric palliative care and 3, 7 for suspected child abuse and neglect.

For more information, please contact [email protected].