<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".16" citation="COMAR 30.08.17.16" title_num="30" subtitle_num="08" chapter_num="17" heading="Policies, Protocols, Guidelines, and Agreements.">
  <text>In addition to meeting the requirements of COMAR 30.08.11.13, the hospital shall:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Have written policies ensuring that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Transfer of patients from another facility is appropriate and patients are received in a timely manner; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All stroke patients receive care commensurate with the hospital’s designation as a comprehensive stroke center;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Have written care protocols for advanced treatment of complex stroke patients, including, but not limited to, acute ischemic stroke patients, acute intra-arterial therapeutic interventions, management of intracranial hemorrhage, and management of subarachnoid hemorrhage;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Have written procedures demonstrating the ability of neurosurgery and interventional radiology to care for two complex stroke patients at one time with appropriate clinicians;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Maintain up-to-date written care protocols for the treatment of acute stroke in:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The neuroscience intensive care unit;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The stroke unit;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The emergency department; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>All other locations where stroke care is provided;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Have established mechanisms to serve and act as a resource center for other facilities in their region or state, which shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Providing expertise in managing particular cases through the use of telemedicine or other alternative means;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Offering guidance for triage of patients;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Providing advanced diagnostic, surgical or interventional procedures and treatment to patients initially treated at a non-primary stroke center or a primary stroke center; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Acting as an educational resource for other hospitals and health care professionals; and</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Have written policies and or protocols delineating the scope of practice and the roles and responsibilities of nurse practitioners and physician assistants providing care to the acute stroke patient in the neuroscience intensive care unit, the emergency department, and the stroke unit.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>