Optimizing referral practices for patients with non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Because many cases of non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (NTICH) do not require surgery, establishing the most appropriate referral and treatment algorithms to optimize patient outcome, including appropriate utilization of specialty physicians, such as neurosurgeons and neurologists, would be helpful. In this retrospective study based on census and billing records, the best referral model showed that medical therapy was the chosen treatment option if patients did not meet all of the following three criteria: GCS < or = 13, age < or = 70 and lesion volume > or = 40 cm3. These criteria may be helpful in predicting the need for surgery and improving referral practices for patients with NTICH.