Original Article

Advice on Stroke Provided by Pharmacies in the United States: Implications for Treatment and Care

Authors: Aaron J. Monseau, MD, Charles Whiteman, MD, Todd J. Crocco, MD, Stephen M. Davis, MD, Jacob Barkley, MD

Abstract

Objectives: Studies have found that some health lines and physician’s offices have provided treatment advice other than “call 9-1-1 for an ambulance” to patients who present with a stroke scenario. We assessed the treatment advice given by selected pharmacies in the United States regarding stroke.

Methods: The investigators called 73 randomly selected pharmacies and informed respondents that the caller’s mother had experienced stroke-like symptoms several days earlier. Respondents were asked what should be done if the symptoms returned in the future and then debriefed on the deception afterward.

Results: Seventy-one of the 73 pharmacies participated and only 20% (95% confidence interval 12–30) of respondents gave the ideal advice “call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.”

Conclusions: One out of every five pharmacy respondents across the United States recommended advice other than calling emergency medical services for a potential stroke scenario.

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