Stroke Designation

In 2005, Senate Bill 330 was passed during the 79th Legislature. The purpose of the bill was to develop a state emergency stroke treatment system. This allows responders to identify, transport, and treat stroke victims in appropriate facilities. The stroke designation rules went into effect on August 30, 2009. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has the authority to designate facilities. The Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Section of DSHS works with hospitals and Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) to:

• Develop facility designation protocols,
• Develop policies, and
• Designate facilities in the state.

Overview

• Rule 157.133 Requirements for Stroke Facility Designation
• Texas Department of State Health Services Heart Disease and Stroke Program

Councils

• Governor's EMS & Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC)
• Regional Advisory Councils (RACs)

The Brain Attack Coalition (BAC) recommendations are the department-approved national stroke standard requirements for Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Center designation per Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §157.133. The BAC requirements are located at: https://www.brainattackcoalition.org/

Documents

• Applications and Forms
• DSHS Virtual Survey Guidelines
• DSHS Designation Program: Facility Update Form 

Fees

The non-refundable stroke application fees for a stroke designation period are as follows:

• Level I stroke facility application fee is $100.00.
• Level II stroke facility application fee is $100.00.
• Level III stroke facility application fee is $100.00.

Facilities

• List of facilities by Designation Level
• Guidance for Change of Legal Owner of a Hospital Facility (CHOW) and/or Change in Physical Location of a Hospital Facility and/or Impact on Stroke Facility Designation

Map

• EMS/Trauma Systems Interactive Map
   

Policies

• Policy and Procedure:- Facility with Conditional Certification as Comprehensive or Primary Stroke Center and De-Certification with The Joint Commission, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), or Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)

For the purposes of Stroke Facility designation, DSHS will accept certifications or survey results from these recognized organizations:

• The Joint Commission (TJC)
  Comprehensive, Primary, and Acute Stroke Ready
• Det Norske Veritas Global Healthcare (DNV-GL)
  Comprehensive, Advanced, Primary, and Acute Stroke Ready
• The Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ)
  Comprehensive, Primary, and Acute Stroke Ready
• Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)
  Primary Stroke Certification