2026-04-17T05:11:49Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:11351/123912025-10-24T08:56:55Zcom_2072_378070com_2072_378040com_2072_378071col_2072_378092col_2072_378097

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Membrilla, Javier A. author García-Yu, Raúl author Mariño, Eduardo author Díaz de Terán, Javier author Alpuente Ruiz, Alicia author Gómez Dabó, Laura author Pozo-Rosich, Patricia author 2025-01-09T12:39:47Z 2025-01-09T12:39:47Z 2024-12 Emergency department; Headache Servicio de urgencias; Cefalea Servei d'urgències; Cefalea Background and Purpose Patients presenting at the emergency room (ER) with headache often encounter a hostile atmosphere and experience delays in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to design a protocol for the ER with the goal of optimizing the care of patients with urgent headache to facilitate diagnosis and expedite treatment. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted via a MEDLINE search in October 2021. The “Code Headache” protocol was then developed considering the available characteristics and resources of the ER at a tertiary care center within the Spanish National Public Health system. Results The Code Headache protocol comprises three assessments: two scales and one checklist. The assessments identify known red flags and stratify patients based on suspected primary/secondary headaches and the need for pain treatment. Initial assessments, performed by the triage nurse, aim to first exclude potentially high morbidity and mortality etiologies (HEAD1 scale) and then expedite appropriate pain management (HEAD2 scale) based on scoring criteria. HEAD1 evaluates vital signs and symptoms of secondary serious headache disorders that can most benefit from earlier identification and treatment, while HEAD2 assesses symptoms indicative of status migrainosus, pain intensity, and vital signs. Subsequently, ER physicians employ a third assessment that reviews red flags for secondary headaches (grouped under the acronym ‘PEACE’) to guide the selection of complementary tests and aid diagnosis. Conclusions The Code Headache protocol is a much needed tool to facilitate quick clinical assessment and improve patient care in the ER. Further validation through comparison with standard clinical practice is warranted. http://hdl.handle.net/11351/12391 Cefalàlgia - Tractament Cefalàlgia - Diagnòstic Hospitals - Serveis d'urgències Dolor - Tractament ANALYTICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES, AND EQUIPMENT::Therapeutics::Pain Management DISEASES::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Signs and Symptoms::Neurologic Manifestations::Pain::Headache Other subheadings::Other subheadings::/therapy HEALTH CARE::Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services::Health Facilities::Health Facility Administration::Hospital Administration::Hospital Departments::Emergency Service, Hospital TÉCNICAS Y EQUIPOS ANALÍTICOS, DIAGNÓSTICOS Y TERAPÉUTICOS::terapéutica::tratamiento del dolor ENFERMEDADES::afecciones patológicas, signos y síntomas::signos y síntomas::manifestaciones neurológicas::dolor::cefalea Otros calificadores::Otros calificadores::/terapia ATENCIÓN DE SALUD::instalaciones, servicios y personal de asistencia sanitaria::centros sanitarios::administración de establecimientos sanitarios::administración hospitalaria::departamentos hospitalarios::servicio hospitalario de urgencias “Code Headache”: Development of a protocol for optimizing headache management in the emergency room