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Table 1 Permitted local variations to the PASTA pathway

From: Paramedic Acute Stroke Treatment Assessment (PASTA): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

PASTA component

Core content expected to be delivered

Local variation permitted

Information

Must use PASTA format

Any clinical information collection system (paper/electronic)

Pre-notification

Must be performed for all PASTA admissions

Paramedic call to ED

Paramedic call to HASU

Dispatch call to ED

Dispatch call to HASU

Pre-notification may or may not include patient-identifiable information

Handover

Must follow study format

Occurs in most suitable area for rapid handover and registration

Receiving hospital team are ED and/or stroke service clinicians

May include other relevant information for individual patients

Scan

Paramedic assists with transfer to scan if < 15 min since handover

Any appropriate hospital clinician accompanies patient

Any brain imaging modality which would assist treatment decisions

Transfer by ambulance or hospital trolley as long as no delay incurred

Assist

Patient transferred off ambulance trolley onto hospital trolley

Paramedic offers assistance for initial tasks

Ambulance crew prepares for departure

Team may not require assistance for each  or all task(s)

Ambulance operational conditions may shorten paramedic stay

Checklist

Paramedic enquires about progress from any hospital team member at 15 min since handover

Checklist completion should reflect usual local service procedures (e.g. telemedicine specialist review)

Feedback

Paramedic seeks feedback about provisional diagnosis and onset time

Any member of hospital team can provide feedback

Paramedic can seek feedback on any aspect of the assessment

The hospital team may not (yet) be able to provide feedback