Receptionist rECognition and rEferral of patients with stroke (RECEPTS): Unannounced simulated patient telephone call study in primary care

摘要: Background Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Timely recognition referral are essential for treatment. Aim To examine the ability receptionists in general practices to recognise symptoms stroke direct patients emergency care. Design setting Unannounced simulated patient telephone calls prospective cross-sectional survey study Birmingham Solihull area. Method A total 52 participated 520 calls, with 183 completing questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were used likelihood immediate care by ease vignette number common present. Results General practice correctly referred 69% Calls classed as ‘difficult’ less likely be immediately referred. Compared ‘easy’ calls: odds ratio (OR) 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.08 0.26; ‘moderate’ OR 0.55, CI 0.32 0.92. Similarly, including one or two ‘FAST’ (compared three FAST symptoms: symptom 0.30, 0.13 0.72; 0.35, 0.15 0.83). Conclusion refer when they present several symptoms; however, presenting only stroke. Optimum management acute primary requires interventions that improve receptionists’ knowledge lesser-known symptoms.