While validated diagnostic tools such as the NIH Stroke Scale are often very helpful, particularly in terms of communicating with Neurologists, there are tools such as the ROSIER (Recognition of Stroke in the Emergency Room) Scale which is a brief score designed to facilitate expedited diagnostic testing and treatment of stroke in the emergency department.
The ROSIER Scale has been found to recognize stroke with 93% sensitivity, 83% specificity, 90% positive predictive value, and 88% negative predictive value.
If the total score is > 0 (i.e. 1-6), then stroke is likely. If the total score is < or equal to 0, then stroke is unlikely, but can not be completely excluded.
See attached ROSIER Scale for details.
References
Nor AM, Davis J, Sen B, et al. (November 2005). The Recognition of Stroke in the Emergency Room (ROSIER) Scale: Development and Validation of a Stroke Recognition Instrument. Lancet Neurology 4(11): 727-34.
