Hospitals should respond to child abuse by providing a team approach, consistent 24-hour care, assistance to investigating agencies, and medical management of the child. A triage approach is suggested that includes physicians, case managers, and social workers. The medical history and examination should include several steps: initial medical history and social assessment, physical examination and testing, and investigative interviews of children and families. Nursing, social work, and medical students should be educated in how to deal with child abuse cases. Hospitals play a major role in the diagnosis and management of child abuse cases, particularly in the areas of case consultation and advice, comprehensive evaluation, treatment and referral, and the provision of feedback to social service and police departments.