Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is preparing to run a trial of a pre-hospital video triage scheme.
The trust, which is part of NHS Humber Health Partnership, has secured funding from NHS England for the trial.
Stroke coordinators, supported by stroke services consultants, will be connected to Yorkshire Ambulance Service crews using video technology enabling visual checks and digital evaluation of patients.
Those with a suspected stroke will be taken to the care of the specialist stroke team at Hull Royal Infirmary for CT scans or to begin treatment such as mechanical thrombectomy to remove blockages from their arteries.
Some patients who do not require hospital admission will be redirected to community services.
Quick treatment
Dr Bernard Esisi, consultant in stroke services, said: “This will allow clinicians to formulate a more accurate diagnosis so people having strokes can be treated in the right place at the right time, as quickly as possible.
“Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke so this new system means we can help people who need us more quickly while making sure those not having strokes get the right support without having to come into hospital.”
Hull Royal Infirmary sees around 1,000 patients with strokes every year. A further 300 or so people are brought to hospital with ‘stroke mimics’ – conditions such as Bell’s Palsy, migraine or low blood sugar, which do not require emergency treatment in hospital and can be dealt with by GPs or community services.
Extra level of assessment
Dr Esisi said: “There is no pre-hospital process that is 100% effective at excluding a stroke or confirming a stroke diagnosis. At the moment, we rely on telephone conversations which can mean, for a variety of reasons, that some patients are not picked up or those not having strokes are brought to hospital when they may not need emergency care.
“This video triage system will allow us to add another level of assessment so that patient can be triaged to the most appropriate place for treatment.”
The triage scheme aligns with Flow, a campaign spearheaded by the hospital group to improve patients’ experience of emergency or acute care and reduce unnecessary stays or admissions.
