OH HB564

Designates hospitals as primary stroke centers if they hold Joint Commission certification, maintain certification requirements, and cooperate with emergency medical services on stroke protocols.

Establishes a stroke care database maintained by the Department of Health to compile and evaluate stroke treatment statistics using nationally recognized performance metrics, with annual reports due June 1st starting in 2012.

Creates a Stroke System of Care Task Force composed of healthcare representatives, physicians, and emergency medical services personnel to recommend protocols for triage, stabilization, and routing of stroke patients within six months.

Requires the State Board of Emergency Medical Services to establish a stroke assessment and protocol tool within six months that details best practices for stroke patient assessment, treatment, and transport, with regional plans to reach primary stroke centers within 60 minutes.

Adds stroke assessment and treatment training requirements to emergency service telecommunicator, first responder, EMT-basic, and paramedic training and continuing education programs.