Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU)
After costs rose from $1.2 M to 1.5M, the MSU was put on the road. One thing I missed was “were the expected stroke people selected?” Try this. Triage “Why did you phone 000?” Wife “My husband has just had a stroke” Something to work towards is it not?
I and other have suggested improving aspects of the ambulance service by including the emergency doctors (Dr. Es) in all stages from 000 to stroke units. Work it out for yourselves. Stroke is relatively easy for paramedics to diagnose clot stroke, if its own “F.A.S.T” But try this. Old Harry fell from a ladder, banged his head, dislocated his left shoulder, pain all over his upper left side, - cracked ribs, or heart attack or both, punctured lung, and a touch of dementia. Exaggerated perhaps. If a DR.E was present he would say “Forget C.T, go back to hospital now”. It’s all about treating the whole patient is it not? I could be wrong. What brought all this on? Well, some months ago, I received in a personally addressed letter, a coloured leaflet from the S.F asking for money to support the M.S.U I was unable to help but will make two comments.
- Much is made of research unit but not much detail is given so all I will say it seems more appropriate at the stroke base
- A statement is made that because of the M.R.U work the patient can bypass emergency section and proceed directly to stroke only. What dangerous nonsense!
Angus