Análisis de las consultas neurológicas en el Servicio de Urgencia de un hospital terciario

Abstract

Introduction: Neurological emergencies constitute 10-15% of medical emergencies. The main reasons for consultation are cerebrovascular disease, seizures and headaches. Dr. Hernan Henriquez Hospital (HHHA) began with neurologists in the Adult Emergency Service in April 2011. In July 2013 24/7 neurology shifts at emergency room were added. Objective: To describe the clinical profile of neurologic consultations at our emergency center. Method: A convenience sample of consultations on shift No. 1, at the Adult Emergency Service HHHA between October 2013 and September 2014. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software. Results: 1,080 consultations were recorded in the period. 51.2% were women. Mean age = 58 years (SD = 20.2). 36.7% of consultations are conducted in a non-business hour. The most frequent diagnoses were stroke (30.7%), epilepsy (15%) and headache (11.3%). 34.6% of patients were discharged; 25.8% were hospitalized in the Internal Medicine dept; 21% were referred to other hospitals; 12% were referred to other specialists and 5.7% were admitted to Critical Patient Unit. 0.83% of the patients died in the SUA. Conclusions: The main reasons for neurological consultation at our Emergency Service were cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy and headaches. Because more than a third of consultations occur on non-schedule hours, neurology system 24/7 shifts are justified in the Emergency Service.