PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Simon M Bell AU - Dilraj Sokhi AU - Tom Hughes AU - Marc S Randall TI - Treatment of the unknown patient: insights from acute stroke AID - 10.1136/practneurol-2017-001626 DP - 2017 Dec 01 TA - Practical Neurology PG - 453--455 VI - 17 IP - 6 4099 - http://pn.bmj.com/content/17/6/453.short 4100 - http://pn.bmj.com/content/17/6/453.full SO - Pract Neurol2017 Dec 01; 17 AB - When an unidentified patient who cannot communicate presents with symptoms and signs suggesting an acute stroke, the decision to thrombolyse is a particular challenge. In a time-pressured environment, clinicians need clear thought processes for diagnosis and treatment. Ethical considerations, diagnosis, identity and previous history, contraindications, time of symptom onset (EDICT) can help decision-making in this situation.