Bill > S1189

This bill aims to improve stroke care by establishing a system for designating hospitals as Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers, or Acute Stroke Capable Centers, with the Department of Public Health responsible for setting criteria and approving designations based on certifications from organizations like the American Heart Association and The Joint Commission. It also mandates that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers develop pre-hospital care protocols for assessing, treating, and transporting stroke patients to the appropriate designated stroke center within a specified timeframe, and requires the use of a standardized stroke triage assessment tool. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a statewide stroke database to collect data on stroke care metrics, requiring hospitals and EMS agencies to report this information, and promotes continuous quality improvement through data analysis, sharing, and the application of evidence-based treatment guidelines for post-hospital care.