Stroke System Development

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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 February 17, 2022. 

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.

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*NEW* DSHS Designation Program: Facility Update Form

Use our online verification system to verify your current contact information (instructions).

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Quick Menu

• Stroke System Development
• Stroke Facility Designation
• Contact Us

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Stroke System Development

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)

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Stroke Facility Designation

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
  

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 to 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 agencies:

• The Joint Commission (TJC) - Comprehensive or Primary Stroke Certification
• Det Norske Veritas Global Healthcare (DNV-GL) – Comprehensive or Primary Stroke Certification
• The Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) – Primary Stroke Certification
• Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) – Primary Stroke Certification
• Texas EMS Trauma and Acute Care Foundation (TETAF) – Support Stroke survey results
  

 

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Get In Touch

By Email

DSHS.EMS-TRAUMA@dshs.texas.gov

By Mail

Send mail correspondence to:
Person's name
Texas Department of State Health Services
EMS/Trauma Systems 
Attn: Stroke Designation Program 
PO Box 149347 MC 1876
Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Staff Contacts

For technical difficulties information,  process or rule clarification:
Designation Program Manager  
Elizabeth Stevenson, R.N. – (512) 834-6794
Elizabeth.Stevenson@dshs.texas.gov   

Designation Program Coordinator 
Audrey Green, R.N. – (512) 605-9108
Audrey.Green@dshs.texas.gov