SB2235 Summary

• Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act to define "stroke" as brain, spinal cord, or retinal cell death from ischemic or hemorrhagic infarction consistent with current nationally-recognized, evidence-based stroke definitions.

• Updates certification criteria for Primary Stroke Centers and Comprehensive Stroke Centers to include use of thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulation reversal medications to reduce occurrence, disabilities, and death from ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

• Establishes criteria for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation requiring hospitals to create written protocols for emergent ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke care and administer thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulation reversal medications.

• Requires the Department of Public Health to maintain an educational website reference with current nationally-recognized and evidence-based guidelines for management of hemorrhagic stroke and anticoagulation reversal.

• Specifies annual fees of $100-$500 for designated stroke centers, deposited into the Stroke Data Collection Fund, and allows the Department to suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of designations for non-compliance.