Communicating with patients.

took a median of 30 minutes to arrive at the patient's home and 20 minutes to reach the hospital.When the same variables were analysed in the patients subsequently confirmed to have definite or probable acute myocardial infarction it was found that the decision time was shorter if relatives were with the patient at the onset of symptoms.The interval between admission to hospital and administration of streptokinase in those given the drug was the longest single delay (median 102 minutes).No factors were identified that significantly influenced the time of administration of streptokinase.Thus most elderly patients reach hospital in time to benefit from thrombolytic treatment but many elderly patients are not admitted to coronary care units.Not only must attention be given to shorten- ing the time to administration of thrombolytic treatment but elderly patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction should have the potential benefit of specialised coronary care.