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Urgent Care for Acute Severe Headache: A Case Study

Explore a case of a 42-year-old woman with a sudden severe headache, symptoms, diagnosis, and healthcare implications. Learn about the importance of prompt diagnosis and effective pathways for managing acute headaches.

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Urgent Care for Acute Severe Headache: A Case Study

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  1. Case History A 42 year old woman became aware of a mild global headache while warming up for her aerobic class. Several minutes later (before the class started), she had sudden exacerbation of her headache, followed by vomiting and photophobia. She was seen by her GP, who diagnosed migraine and gave her intramuscular morphine and prochlorperazine. She spent the next four days in bed with her worst ever headache (she had a previous history of migraine without aura, but this was much worse). On day 6 she was seen by a different GP who recognised the sig- nificance of her symptoms and referred her urgently.

  2. Acute first severe headachecauses: • SAH • Meningitis • Thunderclap • CVST • Migraine • Majority primary headaches

  3. G43,44,R51 H/A & SAH

  4. Rates 500k • Non-specific headache 2-3 per day • SAH 1.5 per week

  5. Acute headache in CHSFT • Annual number A&E attendances 670 • 2 per day • 36 >1 visit • admission 456 • 36>1 admission • total bed days 842 • total cost 150*842= £126,300

  6. Delay in diagnosis • GP education • ED education • HEE & competencies • Protocols agreed & universal

  7. Delay in process • Access to CT 90% • LP 75% • Neurosurgery • 24/7 working

  8. Reorganisation of assessment units • Availability of facilities 24/7 • Availability of neurology 24/7 • Achieved for stroke

  9. Summary • National integrated pathway • Designated acute neuro units alongside stroke 24/7 • Rehabilitation in DGH stroke unit • Agreed at a regional level -senates • Consultant to consultant referrals if possible • 6 monthly audit to refine pathway

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