HB710 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Stroke Improvement Act to create a statewide, comprehensive stroke registry to improve stroke care and patient outcomes in Alabama.

• Creates a Stroke Registry Task Force consisting of 10 members including the State Health Officer, neurologist, American Stroke Association designee, emergency physician, hospital representatives, quality improvement organization designee, EMS/Trauma Medical Director, Chronic Disease Bureau Medical Director, and state university epidemiologist.

• Requires all medical facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health (except pediatric, orthopedic, psychiatric, and rehabilitative hospitals) to report stroke treatment data consistent with nationally recognized guidelines using stroke consensus metrics approved by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

• Department of Public Health shall maintain a statewide stroke database with strict confidentiality protections, releasing patient information only as necessary for continuity of care and in accordance with state and federal law.

• Task Force shall deliver annual reports to the Governor and Legislature beginning July 1, 2012, on statewide progress toward improving stroke care quality and patient outcomes.