Agreement between ambulance nurses and physicians in assessing stroke patients

• DOI: 10.1111/ane.12149
• Publication Date: 2013-05-25T11:04:37Z
• Authors: H. Blomberg; E. Lundström; H. Toss; R. Gedeborg; J. Johansson
• Keywords: Stroke; Clinical judgement; Level of consciousness

If an ambulance nurse could bypass the emergency department (ED) and bring suspected stroke patients directly to a CT scanner, time thrombolysis be shortened. This study evaluates level of agreement between nurses physicians in assessing need for scan, interventions monitoring beforehand, with and/or lowered consciousness.From October 2008 June 2009, we compared nurses' ED physicians' judgement 200 symptoms. Both groups answered identical questions on patients' beforehand.There was poor judging scan: κ = 0.22 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06-0.37). The ability select same as physician scan had sensitivity 84% CI, 77-89) specificity 37% 23-53). Agreement concerning also low: 0.32 0.18-0.47). In 18% cases, considered before unnecessary when deemed them necessary.Additional tools support decisions appear required can taken scanner.