Resolution
Hospital Stroke Self Assessment
Whereas every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke; and
Whereas about 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this year; and
Whereas stroke is the nation’s Number 3 killer, and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability; and
Whereas, the Brain Attack Coalition has created guidelines for hospitals to follow in stroke assessment and treatment; and
Whereas the Acute Stroke Treatment Program (ASTP) was created to complement the Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers: A Consensus Statement from the Brain Attack Coalition (published in the June 21, 2000 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association); and
Whereas Florida law and administrative rules [64E 2.004(4)(a)] require that EMS Medical Directors establish transportation protocols to transport patients to the appropriate medical facilities;
Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Florida Association of EMS Medical Directors supports the Acute Stroke Treatment Program established by the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association.
It is further resolved that the Florida Association of EMS Medical Directors strongly support the concept of hospital stroke self assessment, utilizing the “Primary Stroke Center Assessment” took developed by the American Stroke Association.
It is also further resolved that the Florida Association of EMS Medical Directors support the establishment of both Primary and Comprehensive Stroke Center classifications, which will, in turn, help in determine acute stroke patient destination criteria.
Adopted this 9th Day of July, 2003.
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Antonio Gandia, MD
President