CT HEAD? Reviewing the newest validation of the Ottawa Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Rule

Abstract

The Ottawa SAH Rule is a valid CDR that is 100% (95% CI 94.6-100) sensitive for helping to decide who requires further workup for SAH. It is unclear whether the application of this rule would either improve the current care of patients presenting to the ED with sudden onset of an acute non-traumatic headache or decrease unnecessary testing. Physicians who decide to wait for an impact analysis before incorporating the CDR into their practice should, at the very least consider the predictor variables in their decisionmaking process.