Bill > S1477

This bill aims to prevent death and disability from stroke by creating a system of designated stroke centers in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1) The Department of Public Health and regional EMS councils will review and update pre-hospital care protocols and point-of-entry plans to ensure stroke patients are transported to the most appropriate facility. 2) The Department will maintain and publish a list of designated stroke facilities on its website and provide it to emergency medical services providers. 3) The Department will convene a stroke advisory taskforce with representatives from various medical organizations to provide data oversight, program management, and advice regarding the stroke system of care. 4) Within 180 days, the Department will promulgate regulations to establish: (i) a statewide standard pre-hospital care protocol for assessing, treating, and transporting stroke patients; (ii) a tiered system for designating hospitals to treat stroke patients based on nationally recognized criteria; and (iii) recommended national evidence-based quality and utilization measures for stroke care. Overall, the bill aims to create a coordinated system for identifying, transporting, and treating stroke patients in Massachusetts to improve outcomes.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1477