RCP - New guidance on emergency management of suspected stroke and TIA

Monday, 04, Dec 2006 12:00

4 December 2006

NEW GUIDANCE ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF SUSPECTED STROKE AND TIA

The national Pre-hospital Stroke Guidelines Group has published new guidance on treating stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The guidance covers initial diagnosis to the first few hours the patient is in hospital, and is supplementary to the existing National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke.

Evidence shows that treating stroke and TIA as a medical emergency saves lives and prevents long-term disability. The guidelines provide explicit recommendations for practicing clinicians, managers, patients and carers about the recognition and emergency management of suspected stroke and TIA, from the onset of symptoms to acute intervention in Accident and Emergency Departments.

The Recognition and Emergency Management of Suspected Stroke and TIA Guidelines Supplement (1) applies to the care of all patients with suspected stroke or TIA, irrespective of whether it is a first or recurrent event, and covers:

• recognition of stroke and TIA symptoms;

• pre-hospital management of stroke;

• brain imaging;

• arrival at hospital;

• the provision of information and support for patients and their families;

• investigation and management of patients with suspected TIA.

A full copy of the guidelines is attached. Professor Caroline Watkins, Professor of Stroke and Older People’s Care at the University of Central Lancashire and joint Chair of the Stroke Guidelines Group (2), said:

"These guidelines form an important step in the recognition of, and response to, stroke as a medical emergency. An on-line training course around the recognition, assessment, and treatment of acute stroke (RESPONSE), has been developed for paramedics and other ambulance personnel. This course will facilitate implementation, and the delivery of comprehensive stroke services on the way to and on arrival at hospital will ensure the required continuous chain of care."

“Emergency Departments welcome these clear guidelines which will help them develop their emergency response to Stroke and suspected TIA,” said Dr Katherine Henderson, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at St Thomas’ Hospital and member of the Stroke Strategy Emergency Response Group at the Department of Health. “Recognition of the high risk TIA is particularly important and the guidance given should help get these patients the care they need”

"This multi-agency guideline is a valuable addition to the RCP National Guidelines for Stroke,” said ASA National Clinical Effectiveness Manager, Mr Mark Cooke. “The guideline is consistent with the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC) clinical practice guidelines for NHS ambulance services and will further enhance the national initiative to promote Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) as a medical emergency. The development of the guideline demonstrates how effectively we can work across professional boundaries to ensure that nationally important issues are addressed in a timely manner and which provide generic guidance to all healthcare professionals.”

Editors Notes

1. The Recognition and Emergency Management of Suspected Stroke and TIA Guidelines Supplement, is via the RCP website, link below

• www.rcplondon.ac.uk

2. The Guidelines were developed by the National Pre-hospital Guidelines Group following the protocol used in the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke. The 17 members of the working party were nominated by professional organizations and societies to give wide representation from all disciplines, including the views of patients and their families. The guidelines were developed through consensus meetings of the National Pre-hospital Guidelines Group and feedback from the Intercollegiate Working Party for Stroke. A full list is included in the attached guidelines.

3. Longer term management issues are covered by the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke 2004. Available via the RCP website, link below

• www.rcplondon.ac.uk

4. Details of the RESPONSE course is via the UCLAN website, link below.

• www.uclan.ac.uk/responseproject

Journalists: For further information on any story, please contact Linda Cuthbertson, Press and PR Manager on 020 7935 1174 ext.254 or e-mail Linda.Cuthbertson@rcplondon.ac.uk.