§ 35-2-1001 — Designation of heart attack and stroke centers

(a) The department of health shall establish by rule and
regulation the process for recognition and designation of
hospitals as any one (1) or more of the following:
(i) Heart attack receiving centers;
(ii) Heart attack referring centers;
(iii) Comprehensive stroke centers;
(iv) Primary stroke centers;
(v) Acute stroke ready centers.
(b) The designation of hospitals pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section shall recognize those hospitals that are
accredited by the society for cardiovascular patient care, the
American heart association, the joint commission on the
accreditation of healthcare organizations or another nationally
recognized accreditation organization as determined by the
department in its rules and regulations.
(c) The department shall withdraw the designation of a
hospital pursuant to subsection (a) of this section if the
department determines that the hospital is not in compliance
with the requirements of this section or rules and regulations
adopted pursuant to this section.
(d) The department shall adopt rules and regulations to
enforce this article, which shall include all of the following:
(i) Specific criteria for qualification pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section, including identification of
accrediting organizations;
(ii) Designation application procedures;
(iii) Procedures for withdrawal of a designation;
(iv) Support for the coordination among designated
hospitals for the referral and transfer of patients to
facilitate appropriate care for acute heart attack and stroke
patients.
(v) Evidence based prehospital care protocols for
emergency medical services providers to assess, treat and
transport stroke and acute heart attack patients. The office of
emergency medical services shall work in coordination with
licensed emergency medical providers in developing the protocols
which shall include:
(A) Plans for the triage and transport of stroke
patients to the closest comprehensive or primary stroke center
or, when appropriate, to an acute stroke ready center;
(B) Plans for the triage and transport of acute
heart attack patients to the closest receiving or referring
center within a specified time after a patients report of
symptoms.