The Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS) is a clinical calculator used by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to identify potential stroke patients in the prehospital setting. It is specifically designed for use in the field, prior to hospital admission, to facilitate early recognition and treatment of stroke.
The LAPSS is applicable to all adult patients (over the age of 45) who present with acute onset of neurological symptoms. It is particularly useful in differentiating stroke from other conditions with similar symptoms, such as hypoglycemia.
The clinical utility of the LAPSS lies in its ability to quickly and accurately identify potential stroke patients, allowing for early initiation of stroke protocol and timely transport to appropriate medical facilities. This early identification can significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing the time to treatment.
Exclusion criteria for the use of LAPSS include a history of seizures, pre-existing neurological or psychiatric disorders, and hypoglycemia (blood glucose level less than 60 mg/dL). Additionally, the LAPSS should not be used in patients who have been symptomatic for more than 24 hours, as the benefits of early stroke treatment are significantly reduced after this time period.
Reference
C S Kidwell, S Starkman, M Eckstein et al. Identifying stroke in the field. Prospective validation of the Los Angeles prehospital stroke screen (LAPSS). Stroke. 2000 Jan;31(1):71-6.
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