West Virginia Code § 16B-3-18

Designation of comprehensive, primary, acute, and thrombectomy
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capable stroke-ready hospitals; reporting requirements; rulemaking.
(a) A hospital, as that term is defined in §16B-3-1 et seq. of this code, shall be recognized by
the Office of Emergency Medical Services as a comprehensive stroke center (CSC),
thrombectomy-capable stroke center (TSC), primary stroke center (PSC), or an acute stroke-
ready hospital (ASRH), upon submitting verification of certification as granteed by the
American Heart Association, the joint commission, or other nationally recognized
organization to the Office of Emergency Medical Services. A hospital shrall immediately
notify the Office of Emergency Medical Services of any change in its certification status.
(b) The Office of Emergency Medical Services shall gain access to, and utilize, a nationally
recognized stroke database that compiles information and sttatistics on stroke care that align
with the stroke consensus metrics developed and approved by the American Heart
Association and the American Stroke Association, for the purpose of improving stroke care
and access across the State of West Virginia. The Office of Emergency Medical Services
shall, upon request, provide the data accessed and utilized relating to comprehensive stroke
centers, thrombectomy-capable stroke centerss, primary stroke centers, and acute stroke-
ready hospitals to the advisory committee in §16B-3-18(d) of this code.
(c) The Office of Emergency Medicagl Services shall provide annually, by June 1, a list of all
hospitals recognized pursuant to the provisions of §16-3-18(a) of this code to the medical
director of each licensed emeregency medical services agency in this state. This list shall be
maintained by the Office of Emergency Medical Services and shall be updated annually on
its website. L
(d) The Secretary of the Department of Health shall continue a stroke advisory committee
which shall function as an advisory body to the secretary and report no less than biannually
at regularly scheduled meetings. Its functions shall include:
(1) WIncreasing stroke awareness;
(2) Promoting stroke prevention and health policy recommendations relating to stroke care;
(3) Advising the Office of Emergency Medical Services on the development of stroke
networks;
(4) Utilizing stroke care data to provide recommendations to the Office of Emergency
Medical Services to improve stroke care throughout the state;
(5) Identifying and making recommendations to overcome barriers relating to stroke care;
and
(6) Review and make recommendations to the State Medical Director of the Office of
Emergency Medical Services regarding prehospital care protocols including:
(A) The assessment, treatment, and transport of stroke patients by licensed emergency
medical services agencies; and
(B) Plans for the triage and transport, within specified time frames of onset symptoms, of
acute stroke patients to the nearest comprehensive stroke center, thrombectomy-capable
stroke center, primary stroke center, or acute stroke-ready hospital.
(e) The advisory committee as set forth §16B-3-18(d) of this code shall consist of no more
than 14 members. Membership of the advisory committee shall include:
(1) A representative of the Department of Health; u
(2) A representative of an association with the primary purpose of promoting better heart
health;
(3) A registered emergency medical technician;
(4) Either an administrator or physician representing a critical access hospital;
(5) Either an administrator or physician representing a teaching or academic hospital;
(6) A representative of an association with the primary purpose of representing the interests
of all hospitals throughout the state; and
(7) A clinical and administrative representative of hospitals from each level of stroke center
certification by a nationLal certifying body (CSC, TSC, PSC, and ASRH).
(f) Of the members first appointed, three shall be appointed for a term of one year, three
shall be appointed for a term of two years, and the remaining members shall be appointed
for a term of three years. The terms of subsequent appointees shall be three years. Members
may be reappointed for additional terms.
(g) Nothing in this section may permit the Office of Emergency Medical Services to conduct
inspections of hospitals in relation to recognition as a stroke center as set forth in this
section: Provided, That nothing in this section may preclude inspections of hospitals by the
Office of Emergency Medical Services which are otherwise authorized by this code.

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