Emergency Department Clinical Pathway for the
Evaluation/Treatment of Children with Foreign Body Ingestion

  • Triage Imaging
    • Two view chest X-ray
  • Additional Imaging
    • Neck, abdomen as indicated
    • Lateral if:
      • Battery/magnet/coin supsected
      • Esophageal location
      • FB location uncertain
Suspected Foreign Body (FB) Ingestion
Button Battery Referral to CHOP PHL
Triage, Imaging
Resuscitation Room
Impending/existing
respiratory or
circulatory failure
Suspected ingested
or nasal button battery
Notify PEM and expedite X-ray
FLOC/RN Team Assessment
History and Physical, Imaging

Button Batteries

Confirmed Esophageal Button Battery
Activate Button Battery Notification

Emergent endoscopic removal
OR Board Runner 5-4444
Magnets

Single
Multiple

Posted: July 2013
Revised: September 2023
Editors: Clinical Pathways Team