On January 15, 2015 the NC Rules Review Commission approved new stroke center designation rules by unanimous vote. These rules were developed as the result of Session Law 2013-44 Designate Primary Stroke Centers that was signed into law on May 8, 2013. The rules include designation for acute stroke ready hospitals, primary stroke centers and comprehensive stroke centers.
The NC Stroke Advisory Council and You’re the Cure advocates worked together with the Department of Health Service Regulation and Office of Emergency Services to develop the rule language. As a result of a great team effort the rules were perfected and presented to the Rules Review Commission for approval on January 15, 2015 where they were unanimously approved.
Peg O’Connell, Vice-Chair of the NC Stroke Advisory Council, member of the NC AHA Advocacy Coordinating Council and You’re the Cure member stated, “Six years ago, I lost my dear husband and our Insurance Commissioner Jim Long to a severe stroke. I know what it means to lose someone you love in such a sudden and tragic way, but we were fortunate because when Jim's stroke occurred, we knew what to do and where to go. Everyone in our state needs to have this knowledge.
It has been a journey in North Carolina to build strong stroke systems of care. Many people have come together to ensure that all North Carolinians, regardless of location can access quality acute stroke care and I was proud to be part of that effort. These rules are a critical part of our state’s stroke system of care and inform both EMS and the public where stroke centers are located in the state.”
North Carolina already required EMS authorities to have transport protocol plans and procedures and now with the addition of designating all three tiers of stroke centers became the second state in the country to take this step in establishing strong stroke systems of care.
Many thanks to all the You’re the Cure advocates that supported this effort. You are making a difference!
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