Diminishing returns: how treatment delays undermine the mortality benefits of high-quality stroke care

The benefits of high-quality care in reducing mortality risk were significantly diminished by delays in hospital admission, examination and thrombolysis. The timeliness and quality of AIS care are influenced by geographic location, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores and comorbidity profiles. The highest priority populations for delay reduction and quality improvement were patients who did not use emergency medical services and those with multiple comorbidities.