Quality requirement 3: Emergency and acute management
People needing hospital admission for a neuro-surgical emergency are to be assessed and treated in a timely manner by teams with appropriate neurological and resuscitation skills and facilities.
Arrangements in place to ensure prompt identification and treatment for people with a LTNC on admission to hospital |
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Indicators of progress |
Bernard et al (2010) found some examples of formal links between emergency departments and neurological specialists to ensure prompt identification and treatment, including access to tertiary centres of specialist expertise. |
In Hoppitt et al’s study (2011) there was some evidence from a very small sample (N=8) that, in neurology wards, people with rarer LTNCs were generally satisfied with the way staff addressed their condition-specific needs. |
Inhibitors of progress |
Jackson et al (2011a) report that the usual routes to emergency units via ambulance were used, but where carers had medical or psycho-social concerns ‘out of hours’ they did not feel confident about using generic advice services, such as NHS Direct, especially if the cared-for person had a rare neurological condition. |
Bernard et al (2010) identified ill-defined pathways in some areas. |
