NC H827

Creates a new requirement that hospitals cannot advertise themselves as primary stroke centers unless designated by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Requires the Department to designate hospitals as primary stroke centers if they are certified by the Joint Commission or another nationally recognized accrediting body that requires conformance to best practices for stroke care.

Mandates designated primary stroke centers to establish formal written agreements with other hospitals addressing transportation of acute stroke patients and acceptance of patients initially treated at non-primary stroke center hospitals.

Requires the Department to maintain and publicly post a list of designated primary stroke centers on its website and transmit the list annually to emergency medical services medical directors.

Allows the Department to suspend or revoke a hospital's designation for non-compliance and permits hospitals to appeal adverse actions under Chapter 150B of the General Statutes; effective October 1, 2013.