SB13-225 Summary

• Creates a 15-member STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) task force with cardiologists, hospital administrators, nurses, and patient representatives to study and recommend improvements to statewide STEMI care by July 31, 2015.

• Establishes an 18-member stroke advisory board to evaluate stroke prevention and treatment strategies, develop a statewide needs assessment, and submit annual reports beginning January 31, 2014, with repeal scheduled for September 1, 2018.

• Both groups shall study state database creation for cardiac and stroke care data, access to aggregated hospital data excluding patient identifiers, rural-urban hospital coordination plans, and whether national hospital designations are appropriate for Colorado.

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health and Environment to recognize and publicly list hospitals with national stroke or STEMI certifications from organizations like the Joint Commission and Society for Cardiovascular Patient Care.

• Appropriates $41,402 and 0.6 FTE to the Department of Public Health and Environment for stroke and STEMI heart attack designation implementation.