ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine what proportion of patients admitted to Ninewells Hospital & Medical School in 1996 with acute stroke underwent CT brain scans and in what time frame. To decide if the targets set by the SIGN guidelines can be met, and if not, the reasons for this. DESIGN: Data from the Dundee Ninewells Stroke Register and the Computerised Radiology Information System were used to determine the timing of CT scanning in relation to stroke and admission. Notes were also reviewed to determine why CT scans had not been done in some patients. SETTING: Departments of Medicine and Radiology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School Dundee. SUBJECTS: All patients admitted with acute stroke in the calendar year 1996. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty six patients presented with acute stroke in 1996. Of these patients, 250 patients (87%) had a CT brain scan. Eighty three (29%) underwent CT brain scanning within 48 hours of the acute event. A total of 163 (57%) were scanned within a week. Two hundred and thirty three (81%) were scanned within three weeks. Thirty six patients were not scanned after their acute event and the reasons recorded are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Less than two-thirds of patients were scanned within the time interval of seven days recommended in the SIGN Guidelines for stroke management. Implementation of the current SIGN Guidelines will therefore, require reorganisation of the service to ensure that all patients receive scans within seven and preferably within two days and may have resource implication.
