• A Gómez Ibáñez, P Irimía, and E Martínez-Vila.
• Departamento de Neurología, Clínica Universitaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
• An Sist Sanit Navar. 2008 Jan 1; 31 Suppl 1: 7-13.

AbstractIn recent years different studies have highlighted a progressive increase in the demand for neurological care in emergency departments. To analyze the convenience of specific neurology shifts or the role that the neurologist should play in the emergency department, it is necessary to answer questions such as: What is the demand for emergency neurological care? What are the most frequent neurological emergencies? Who should attend to neurological emergencies and why? Are specific neurology shifts necessary? Neurological emergencies account for between 2.6% and 14% of medical emergencies. Stroke represents a third of all neurological emergencies, while the diagnoses of acute cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy and cephalea constitute 50% of all neurological care in the emergency department. On the basis of quality of care criteria and professional competence, the best care for patients with a neurological emergency is provided by a specialist in neurology. The implementation of specific neurology shifts, with a 24 hour physical presence, is associated with greater quality of care, better diagnostic and therapeutic orientation from the moment the patient arrives in emergency department, reduces unnecessary admissions, reduces costs and strengthens the neurology service.

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