Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
SENDROM, cilt.15, sa.2, ss.87-94, 2003 (Scopus)
Stroke is a common medical emergency that still temains the third leading cause of death in USA. For a rising survival and recovery rate, with minimal neurological deficits, the American Stroke Association has proposed a "Stroke Chain of Survival". One major companent of the chain is the PREHOSPITAL ASSESSMENT. On the other hand, assessment of the neurological system is often diffucult. Many of the sing and symptoms of nervous system dysfunction are subtle. Initial evaluation of the patient with a nervous system emergency should begin with the primary assessment, that includes: checking for responsiveness, maintenance of the airway, securing the cervical spine, administering supplemental oxygen (for minimizing the increased intra-cranial pressure). Following completion of the primary assessment and correction of any immediate threats to the patient's life, attention must be turn to the secondary assessment should include a brief history, head-to-toe examination, vital signs and a pertinent neurological evaluation, that means, standart examination and detailed neurological assessment such as pupils status, respiratory status and spinal evaulation. An effective neurological examination during prehospital assessment, depends upon a thorough knowledge of the range of normal responses. A baseline neurological examinationis necessary during the initial patient assessment for comparison with later examination to determine whether the patient's condition is improving or worsening the Glasgow Coma Scale, affers a simple and systematic way to evaluate and monitor the patient who is in coma. All kind of information about the patient with neurological emergency, should be recorded carefully and correctly, such as, information obtained from patient or bystanders and informations on the route to the hospital while giving prehospital care. These informations should be shared with ED staff, that will helpfull for patient's further treatment in the hospital.