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KnowEMS Webinar Highlights | Pre-Hospital Stroke Management

By project KnowEMS staffPublished on

A Europe-wide webinar organized by the KnowEMS Consortium brought together emergency medical services (EMS) professionals and healthcare experts from Israel, Romania, Spain, and Ireland to discuss best practices and innovations in the prehospital management of acute stroke.

The online event opened with an introduction to the KnowEMS project and a special acknowledgment of the contributions of women in emergency medical services, in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8.

The session focused on one of the most critical time-sensitive medical emergencies—acute stroke—underlining its status as a leading global cause of death and disability. The webinar emphasized the urgent need for early reperfusion therapy and efficient coordination among EMS providers and hospitals to improve patient outcomes.
 

International Perspectives on Stroke Response

The webinar featured expert presentations from Shafir Botner (Magen David Adom, Israel), Shane Devlin (National Ambulance Service, Ireland), Fernando Monforte (SAMUR-PC, Spain), and Diana Cimpoeșu (SMURD, Romania). Each speaker shared their national experiences, challenges, and innovations in acute stroke care.

Key statistics presented during the session revealed a growing concern across Europe. Stroke cases are projected to rise by 34% between 2015 and 2023, with 6.5 million global deaths annually attributed to stroke. Countries like Romania reported especially high incidence and mortality rates, while Ireland anticipates a 40% increase in its population over 65 within the next decade—significantly impacting stroke prevalence.
 

Main Challenges and Best Practices Identified

Participants discussed a variety of shared challenges and strategies, including:

  • Critical Role of EMS: As first responders, EMS teams are vital in the early recognition and response to stroke symptoms. The establishment of clear quality indicators (KPIs) for EMS stroke care was deemed essential for improving outcomes and operational efficiency.
  • Specialized Stroke Care Pathways: Early hospital notifications and direct transport to facilities with cerebral catheterization labs and neurologists were highlighted as superior to self-referral models. The use of Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) and telemedicine follow-ups were discussed as effective tools to reduce treatment delays.
  • Stroke Protocols and Training: Emphasis was placed on using acronyms like FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and BEFAST to promote early recognition among both professionals and the public. Training EMS dispatch centers to provide immediate instructions was also highlighted as a key step in reducing prehospital delays.
  • Managing Stroke Mimics: Based on the 2024 experience of SAMUR-PC, up to 20% of patients with stroke-like symptoms had alternative diagnoses such as seizures, migraines, or metabolic disorders—underscoring the need for diagnostic precision.
  • Romania’s Real-Time Data Approach: Romanian EMS demonstrated the use of voice and video data transmission from ambulances to centralized dispatch physicians, allowing real-time triage and hospital selection. Additionally, patients in Romania benefit from helicopter transfers and rapid access to CT imaging through fast-track protocols.

A Call for Unified Strategy Across Borders

Despite differences in geography, EMS models, and healthcare infrastructure, all speakers agreed: “time lost is brain lost.” The webinar concluded with a strong call for cross-border collaboration in developing unified procedures and educational initiatives aimed at improving stroke outcomes through better prehospital care.

The KnowEMS consortium reaffirmed its commitment to fostering such knowledge-sharing events, helping shape a more cohesive and effective response to stroke emergencies across Europe and beyond.