Prompt care means better outcome

Fewer lasting effects, shorter hospital stays, lower costs.

Not a bad deal.

A recent study in The Lancet Neurology spells out that it seems prompt treatment of transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke) patients means fewer problems, including additional strokes.

Now, that's good news.

From a MedPage Today article:

Urgent care was associated with an estimated savings of about $890 per patient, which, if extrapolated to the entire population of the U.K., could yield savings of nearly $100 million in acute care costs per year, the researchers said.

"In addition," they said, "the reductions in disability rates at six months might lead to a reduction in the long-term usage of the health service in the community."

So, as stated: prompt, good care means less change of another stroke, fewer patients becoming disabled, lower costs. It follows that it's important if you are in a position to help a stroke victim, you must help that person to get proper care.