Benzodiazepines are safe and effective when administered by paramedics for out-of-hospital status epilepticus in adults. Lorazepam is likely to be a better therapy than diazepam.

People who activate EMS for stroke frequently use the word "stroke" and/or describe symptoms compatible with stroke in their calls. EMS dispatch protocols should be sensitive for these symptoms to ensure more accurate and timely ambulance dispatch.

Paramedics in San Francisco County were correct three-fourths of the time when their documentation listed patients as having stroke/TIA. However, they did not identify 39% of stroke victims, a patient population who may benefit from urgent therapy. A substantial period elapses before stroke victims access 911. This highlights the need to develop an educational program for the community at risk for stroke, and another for paramedics directed toward more accurate identification of acute stroke victims.

Institution of an educational stroke program was associated with a significant increase in sensitivity in stroke identification by the paramedics; however, educational influences outside this training program may have contributed to the increased sensitivity. Better education for paramedics, combined with rapid response to stroke victims once identified, may result in improved care for victims of acute stroke.