To enact sections 3727.11, 3727.12, 3727.13, and 3727.14 of the Revised Code to provide for state recognition of hospitals that are comprehensive stroke centers, primary stroke centers, and acute stroke ready hospitals.

Section 1. That sections 3727.11, 3727.12, 3727.13, and 3727.14 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3727.11. (A) A hospital may apply to the department of health to be designated as a comprehensive stroke center. Application shall be made on a form furnished by the department.

(B) Not later than thirty days after receiving a completed application, the department shall complete its review of the application. If the department determines that the hospital has provided sufficient evidence that the hospital is certified or accredited as a comprehensive stroke center by either of the following, the department shall designate the hospital as a comprehensive stroke center:

(1) The joint commission;

(2) Another entity acceptable to the department that is nationally recognized and provides certification or accreditation of comprehensive stroke centers.

(C) A designation made under division (B) of this section expires three years from the date it is made. A hospital may have a designation renewed for subsequent three-year periods by applying to the department on a form furnished by the department. The department shall renew the designation if the hospital continues to meet the requirements of division (B) of this section.

(D) A hospital shall not use the phrase "comprehensive stroke center" or otherwise hold itself out as a comprehensive stroke center unless it is designated as a comprehensive stroke center under this section.

(E) The department shall revoke a designation made under this section if it determines that the hospital is no longer certified or accredited as a comprehensive stroke center by an entity specified in division (B) of this section.

(F) Annually, not later than the first day of December, the department shall compile and make available a list of hospitals designated as comprehensive stroke centers.

(G) This section does not limit the services that may be provided by a hospital or prohibit a hospital from providing services it is authorized to provide.

Sec. 3727.12.  (A) A hospital may apply to the department of health to be designated as a primary stroke center. Application shall be made on a form furnished by the department.

(B) Not later than thirty days after receiving a completed application, the department shall complete its review of the application. If the department determines that the hospital has provided sufficient evidence that the hospital is certified or accredited as a primary stroke center by either of the following, the department shall designate the hospital as a primary stroke center:

(1) The joint commission;

(2) Another entity acceptable to the department that is nationally recognized and provides certification or accreditation of primary stroke centers.

(C) A designation made under division (B) of this section expires three years from the date it is made. A hospital may have a designation renewed for subsequent three-year periods by applying to the department on a form furnished by the department. The department shall renew the designation if the hospital continues to meet the requirements of division (B) of this section.

(D) A hospital shall not use the phrase "primary stroke center" or otherwise hold itself out as a primary stroke center unless it is designated as a primary stroke center under this section.

(E) The department shall revoke a designation made under this section if it determines that the hospital is no longer certified or accredited as a primary stroke center by an entity specified in division (B) of this section.

(F) Annually, not later than the first day of December, the department shall compile and make available a list of hospitals designated as primary stroke centers.

(G) This section does not limit the services that may be provided by a hospital or prohibit a hospital from providing services it is authorized to provide.

Sec. 3727.13.  (A) A hospital may apply to the department of health to be designated as an acute stroke ready hospital. Application shall be made on a form furnished by the department.

(B) Not later than thirty days after receiving a completed application, the department shall complete its review of the application. If the department determines that the hospital has provided sufficient evidence that it possesses all of the following, the department shall designate the hospital as an acute stroke ready hospital:

(1) A team of health care professionals, qualified to treat acute strokes, that is available or on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;

(2) Written stroke protocols that, at a minimum, cover the following components: triage, stabilization of vital functions, initial diagnostic tests, and medication use;

(3) A written plan and letter of cooperation with emergency medical service personnel regarding triage and communication that are consistent with regional patient care procedures;

(4) Emergency medical service personnel who are trained in diagnosing and treating acute stroke;

(5) The capacity to complete basic laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, and chest x-rays twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;

(6) The capacity to perform and interpret brain injury imaging studies twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;

(7) Written protocols, revised not less than once annually, that detail available emergent therapies and reflect current treatment guidelines and include performance measures;

(8) A neurosurgery coverage plan, call schedule, and triage and transportation plan;

(9) Transfer protocols and agreements for stroke patients;

(10) A designated medical director with experience and expertise in stroke care.

(C) A designation made under division (B) of this section expires three years from the date it is made. A hospital may have a designation renewed for subsequent three-year periods by applying to the department on a form furnished by the department. The department shall renew the designation if the hospital continues to meet the requirements of division (B) of this section.

(D) A hospital shall not use the phrase "acute stroke ready hospital" or otherwise hold itself out as an acute stroke ready hospital unless it is designated as an acute stroke ready hospital under this section.

(E) The department shall revoke a designation made under this section if the department determines that the hospital no longer meets the requirements specified in division (B) of this section.

(F) Annually, not later than the first day of December, the department shall compile and make available a list of hospitals designated as acute stroke ready hospitals.

(G) This section does not limit the services that may be provided by a hospital or prohibit a hospital from providing services it is authorized to provide.

Sec. 3727.14.  A hospital shall not use the phrase "stroke center" or "stroke hospital" unless one of the following is the case:

(A) It has been designated as a comprehensive stroke center, primary stroke center, or acute stroke ready hospital by the department of health under section 3727.11, 3727.12, or 3727.13 of the Revised Code;

(B) It has been certified or accredited as a comprehensive stroke center or primary stroke center by the joint commission or another entity acceptable to the department of health that is nationally recognized and provides certification or accreditation of comprehensive stroke centers or primary stroke centers.