From the Research
Presence of On-Site Neurologist in Emergency Room
- The presence of a neurologist in the Emergency Department (ED) can lead to a significant reduction in hospital admissions and length of stay, as well as improvement in quality of care 1.
- Having a neurologist on-site can improve the management of neurological emergencies, such as stroke, headache, and epilepsy, which are common disorders seen in the ED 1, 2.
- The role of the neurologist in the ED is crucial for the optimum management of urgent neurological diseases, which are often complex and potentially serious 1, 3.
- Studies have shown that neurological examinations performed by neurologists in the ED can modify diagnosis and treatment in a significant proportion of patients, and can also reduce unnecessary hospital admissions 4, 5.
Organizational Models for Emergency Neurology
- Different organizational models for emergency neurology have been proposed, including the Neuro Fast Track and the emergency neurologist, which aim to improve the management of neurological emergencies in the ED 3.
- These models emphasize the importance of having a neurologist on-site or on-call to provide timely and effective care for patients with neurological emergencies 3, 1.
- The use of technology, such as computerized screening tools, can also facilitate the identification of patients with deferrable urgency and reduce waiting times for specialist assessment 3.
Benefits of On-Site Neurologist
- Having an on-site neurologist can reduce the time between admission and examination, and can also reduce the number of unnecessary hospital admissions 1, 4.
- The presence of a neurologist in the ED can also improve patient outcomes, particularly for those with stroke and other time-sensitive neurological conditions 1, 2.
- Overall, the evidence suggests that having an on-site neurologist in the ED can improve the quality and efficiency of care for patients with neurological emergencies 1, 3, 4, 5.