Why acute ischemic stroke patients in the United States use or do not use emergency medical services transport? Findings of an inpatient survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who use emergency medical services (EMS) receive quicker reperfusion treatment which, in turn, mitigates post-stroke disability. However, nationally only 59% use EMS. We examined why AIS patients use or do not use EMS.

Methods

During 2016-2018, a convenience sample of AIS patients admitted to a primary stroke center in South Carolina were surveyed during hospitalization if they were medically fit, available for survey when contacted, and consented to participate. The survey was programed into EpiInfo with skip patterns to minimize survey burden and self-administered on a touchscreen computer. Survey questions covered symptom characteristics, knowledge of stroke and EMS importance, subjective reactions, role of bystanders a

SUBMITTER: Xirasagar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6892139 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature