In 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
