Table 1 Target clinical behaviours
Clinical behaviour | Description |
|---|---|
Triage | All patients presenting with signs and symptoms of suspected acute stroke should be triaged as Australian Triage Scale Category or 2 (seen within 10 mins) |
Thrombolysis | All patients to be assessed for tPA eligibility All eligible patients to receive tPA |
Management of temperature | All patients to have their temperature taken on arrival to Emergency Department (ED) and then at least four hourly whilst they remain in ED Temperature 37.5 °C or greater to be treated with paracetamol (acetaminophen) within one hour |
Management of blood glucose levels | Venous blood glucose level (BGL) sample sent to laboratory on admission to ED Finger prick BGL recorded on admission and finger prick BGL monitored every 6 h (or greater if elevated) Insulin administered to all patients with BGL > 10 mMol/L within one hour |
Swallow assessment | Patients to remain nil by mouth until a swallow screen by non- Speech Pathologist (SP) or swallow assessment by SP performed All patients who fail the screen to have a swallowing assessment by a SP |
Transfer | All patients with stroke to be discharged from ED within 4 h All patients with stroke to be admitted to the hospital’s stroke unit |