Damage control: past, present, and future of prehospital stroke management

Early identification of stroke patients by emergency medical services is a valuable part of optimal care. Accurate identification of the stroke victim by EMS has been shown to expedite treatment. Care is enhanced when the EMS professional ascertains when the patient was last at baseline state, performs an expeditious assessment and transport, checks the patient's blood glucose level, and avoids lowering the blood pressure. The death and disability toll of acute stroke can be lowered. There is a long way to go, however. EMS professionals can help make progress on that journey.