SENATE BILL 81

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Howie C. Morales and Conrad James

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT TO PROVIDE FOR EXPANDED SOURCES OF ACCREDITATION FOR STROKE CENTERS AND PRE-HOSPITALIZATION PROTOCOLS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 24-1-34 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2012, Chapter 4, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "24-1-34. PRIMARY STROKE CENTERS--COMPREHENSIVE STROKE CENTERS--ACUTE STROKE CAPABLE CENTERS--DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATION--RULEMAKING.--

          A. In accordance with department rules, the department shall certify any acute care hospital as a primary stroke center, comprehensive stroke center or acute stroke capable center if that hospital has been accredited by the joint commission or any other nationally recognized accrediting body as a primary stroke center, comprehensive stroke center or acute stroke capable center [by the joint commission]. The department shall post information regarding certification on the department's web site. If a hospital loses [joint commission certification] accreditation as a primary stroke center, comprehensive stroke center or acute stroke capable center, the secretary shall also remove that hospital's certification.

          B. In accordance with department rules, the emergency medical systems bureau of the department shall work in coordination with all local and regional emergency medical services authorities statewide on the development of pre-hospitalization protocols related to the assessment, treatment and transport of stroke patients by licensed emergency medical services providers. These protocols shall include, at a minimum, plans for the triage and transport of stroke patients to the closest comprehensive or primary stroke center or, when appropriate, to an acute stroke capable center.

          [B.] C. The secretary may adopt rules to assist and encourage primary stroke centers to enter into coordinated stroke care agreements with other health care facilities throughout the state to provide appropriate access to care for acute stroke patients."

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