Public Act 103-0149
 
HB2238 EnrolledLRB103 30630 CPF 57082 b

    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems
Act is amended by changing Sections 3.116, 3.117, 3.117.5,
3.118, 3.118.5, 3.119, and 3.226 as follows:
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.116)
    Sec. 3.116. Hospital Stroke Care; definitions. As used in
Sections 3.116 through 3.119, 3.130, 3.200, and 3.226 of this
Act:
    "Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital" means a hospital that has
been designated by the Department as meeting the criteria for
providing emergent stroke care. Designation may be provided
after a hospital has been certified or through application and
designation as such.
    "Certification" or "certified" means certification, using
evidence-based standards, from a nationally recognized
certifying body approved by the Department.
    "Comprehensive Stroke Center" means a hospital that has
been certified and has been designated as such.
    "Designation" or "designated" means the Department's
recognition of a hospital as a Comprehensive Stroke Center,
Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital.
    "Emergent stroke care" is emergency medical care that
includes diagnosis and emergency medical treatment of acute
stroke patients.
    "Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital" means a hospital that has
been designated by the Department as meeting the criteria for
providing emergent stroke care.
    "Primary Stroke Center" means a hospital that has been
certified by a Department-approved, nationally recognized
certifying body and designated as such by the Department.
    "Primary Stroke Center Plus" means a hospital that has
been certified by a Department-approved, nationally recognized
certifying body and designated as such by the Department.
    "Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee" means a
subcommittee formed within each Regional EMS Advisory
Committee to advise the Director and the Region's EMS Medical
Directors Committee on the triage, treatment, and transport of
possible acute stroke patients and to select the Region's
representative to the State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee. At
minimum, the Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall
consist of: one representative from the EMS Medical Directors
Committee; one EMS coordinator from a Resource Hospital; one
administrative representative or his or her designee from each
level of stroke care, including Comprehensive Stroke Centers
within the Region, if any, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers
within the Region, if any, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers
within the Region, if any, Primary Stroke Centers Plus within
the Region, if any, Primary Stroke Centers within the Region,
if any, and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals within the Region, if
any; one physician from each level of stroke care, including
one physician who is a neurologist or who provides advanced
stroke care at a Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Region, if
any, one physician who is a neurologist or who provides acute
stroke care at a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center within the
Region, if any, a Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center within the
Region, if any, or a Primary Stroke Center Plus in the Region,
if any, one physician who is a neurologist or who provides
acute stroke care at a Primary Stroke Center in the Region, if
any, and one physician who provides acute stroke care at an
Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital in the Region, if any; one nurse
practicing in each level of stroke care, including one nurse
from a Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Region, if any, one
nurse from a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, if any, a
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center within the Region, if any, or
a Primary Stroke Center Plus in the Region, if any, one nurse
from a Primary Stroke Center in the Region, if any, and one
nurse from an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital in the Region, if
any; one representative from both a public and a private
vehicle service provider that transports possible acute stroke
patients within the Region; the State-designated regional EMS
Coordinator; and a fire chief or his or her designee from the
EMS Region, if the Region serves a population of more than
2,000,000. The Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall
establish bylaws to ensure equal membership that rotates and
clearly delineates committee responsibilities and structure.
Of the members first appointed, one-third shall be appointed
for a term of one year, one-third shall be appointed for a term
of 2 years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years. The terms of subsequent appointees shall be 3
years.
    "State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee" means a standing
advisory body within the State Emergency Medical Services
Advisory Council.
    "Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center" means a hospital that
has been certified by a Department-approved, nationally
recognized certifying body and designated as such by the
Department.
    "Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center" means a hospital that
has been certified by a Department-approved, nationally
recognized certifying body and designated as such by the
Department.
(Source: P.A. 102-687, eff. 12-17-21.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.117)
    Sec. 3.117. Hospital designations.
    (a) The Department shall attempt to designate Primary
Stroke Centers in all areas of the State.
        (1) The Department shall designate as many certified
    Primary Stroke Centers as apply for that designation
    provided they are certified by a nationally recognized
    certifying body, approved by the Department, and
    certification criteria are consistent with the most
    current nationally recognized, evidence-based stroke
    guidelines related to reducing the occurrence,
    disabilities, and death associated with stroke.
        (2) A hospital certified as a Primary Stroke Center by
    a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the
    Department, shall send a copy of the Certificate and
    annual fee to the Department and shall be deemed, within
    30 business days of its receipt by the Department, to be a
    State-designated Primary Stroke Center.
        (3) A center designated as a Primary Stroke Center
    shall pay an annual fee as determined by the Department
    that shall be no less than $100 and no greater than $500.
    All fees shall be deposited into the Stroke Data
    Collection Fund.
        (3.5) With respect to a hospital that is a designated
    Primary Stroke Center, the Department shall have the
    authority and responsibility to do the following:
            (A) Suspend or revoke a hospital's Primary Stroke
        Center designation upon receiving notice that the
        hospital's Primary Stroke Center certification has
        lapsed or has been revoked by the State recognized
        certifying body.
            (B) Suspend a hospital's Primary Stroke Center
        designation, in extreme circumstances where patients
        may be at risk for immediate harm or death, until such
        time as the certifying body investigates and makes a
        final determination regarding certification.
            (C) Restore any previously suspended or revoked
        Department designation upon notice to the Department
        that the certifying body has confirmed or restored the
        Primary Stroke Center certification of that previously
        designated hospital.
            (D) Suspend a hospital's Primary Stroke Center
        designation at the request of a hospital seeking to
        suspend its own Department designation.
        (4) Primary Stroke Center designation shall remain
    valid at all times while the hospital maintains its
    certification as a Primary Stroke Center, in good
    standing, with the certifying body. The duration of a
    Primary Stroke Center designation shall coincide with the
    duration of its Primary Stroke Center certification. Each
    designated Primary Stroke Center shall have its
    designation automatically renewed upon the Department's
    receipt of a copy of the accrediting body's certification
    renewal.
        (5) A hospital that no longer meets nationally
    recognized, evidence-based standards for Primary Stroke
    Centers, or loses its Primary Stroke Center certification,
    shall notify the Department and the Regional EMS Advisory
    Committee within 5 business days.
    (a-5) The Department shall attempt to designate
Comprehensive Stroke Centers in all areas of the State.
        (1) The Department shall designate as many certified
    Comprehensive Stroke Centers as apply for that
    designation, provided that the Comprehensive Stroke
    Centers are certified by a nationally recognized
    certifying body approved by the Department, and provided
    that the certifying body's certification criteria are
    consistent with the most current nationally recognized and
    evidence-based stroke guidelines for reducing the
    occurrence of stroke and the disabilities and death
    associated with stroke.
        (2) A hospital certified as a Comprehensive Stroke
    Center shall send a copy of the Certificate and annual fee
    to the Department and shall be deemed, within 30 business
    days of its receipt by the Department, to be a
    State-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center.
        (3) A hospital designated as a Comprehensive Stroke
    Center shall pay an annual fee as determined by the
    Department that shall be no less than $100 and no greater
    than $500. All fees shall be deposited into the Stroke
    Data Collection Fund.
        (4) With respect to a hospital that is a designated
    Comprehensive Stroke Center, the Department shall have the
    authority and responsibility to do the following:
            (A) Suspend or revoke the hospital's Comprehensive
        Stroke Center designation upon receiving notice that
        the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center
        certification has lapsed or has been revoked by the
        State recognized certifying body.
            (B) Suspend the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke
        Center designation, in extreme circumstances in which
        patients may be at risk for immediate harm or death,
        until such time as the certifying body investigates
        and makes a final determination regarding
        certification.
            (C) Restore any previously suspended or revoked
        Department designation upon notice to the Department
        that the certifying body has confirmed or restored the
        Comprehensive Stroke Center certification of that
        previously designated hospital.
            (D) Suspend the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke
        Center designation at the request of a hospital
        seeking to suspend its own Department designation.
        (5) Comprehensive Stroke Center designation shall
    remain valid at all times while the hospital maintains its
    certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, in good
    standing, with the certifying body. The duration of a
    Comprehensive Stroke Center designation shall coincide
    with the duration of its Comprehensive Stroke Center
    certification. Each designated Comprehensive Stroke Center
    shall have its designation automatically renewed upon the
    Department's receipt of a copy of the certifying body's
    certification renewal.
        (6) A hospital that no longer meets nationally
    recognized, evidence-based standards for Comprehensive
    Stroke Centers, or loses its Comprehensive Stroke Center
    certification, shall notify the Department and the
    Regional EMS Advisory Committee within 5 business days.
    (a-5) The Department shall attempt to designate
Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke
Centers, and Primary Stroke Centers Plus in all areas of the
State according to the following requirements:
        (1) The Department shall designate as many certified
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Centers, and Primary Stroke Centers Plus as apply
    for that designation, provided that the body certifying
    the facility uses certification criteria consistent with
    the most current nationally recognized and evidence-based
    stroke guidelines for reducing the occurrence of strokes
    and the disabilities and death associated with strokes.
        (2) A Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy
    Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus shall
    send a copy of the certificate of its designation and
    annual fee to the Department and shall be deemed, within
    30 business days after its receipt by the Department, to
    be a State-designated Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center,
    Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center
    Plus.
        (3) A Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy
    Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus shall
    pay an annual fee as determined by the Department that
    shall be no less than $100 and no greater than $500. All
    fees collected under this paragraph shall be deposited
    into the Stroke Data Collection Fund.
        (4) With respect to a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
    Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary
    Stroke Center Plus, the Department shall:
            (A) suspend or revoke the Thrombectomy Capable
        Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or
        Primary Stroke Center Plus designation upon receiving
        notice that the Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center's,
        Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center's, or Primary Stroke
        Center Plus's certification has lapsed or has been
        revoked by its certifying body;
            (B) in extreme circumstances in which patients may
        be at risk for immediate harm or death, suspend the
        Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center's, Thrombectomy
        Ready Stroke Center's, or Primary Stroke Center Plus's
        designation until its certifying body investigates the
        circumstances and makes a final determination
        regarding its certification;
            (C) restore any previously suspended or revoked
        Department designation upon notice to the Department
        that the certifying body has confirmed or restored the
        Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center's, Thrombectomy
        Ready Stroke Center's, or Primary Stroke Center Plus's
        certification; and
            (D) suspend the Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
        Center's, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center's, or
        Primary Stroke Center Plus's designation at the
        request of a facility seeking to suspend its own
        Department designation.
        (5) A Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy
    Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus
    designation shall remain valid at all times while the
    facility maintains its certification as a Thrombectomy
    Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center,
    or Primary Stroke Center Plus and is in good standing with
    the certifying body. The duration of a Thrombectomy
    Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center,
    or Primary Stroke Center Plus designation shall be the
    same as the duration of its Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
    Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary
    Stroke Center Plus certification. Each designated
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus shall have
    its designation automatically renewed upon the
    Department's receipt of a copy of the certifying body's
    renewal of the certification.
        (6) A hospital that no longer meets the criteria for
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Centers, or Primary Stroke Centers Plus, or loses
    its Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus
    certification, shall notify the Department and the
    Regional EMS Advisory Committee of the situation within 5
    business days after being made aware of it.
    (b) Beginning on the first day of the month that begins 12
months after the adoption of rules authorized by this
subsection, the Department shall attempt to designate
hospitals as Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals in all areas of the
State. Designation may be approved by the Department after a
hospital has been certified as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
or through application and designation by the Department. For
any hospital that is designated as an Emergent Stroke Ready
Hospital at the time that the Department begins the
designation of Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals, the Emergent
Stroke Ready designation shall remain intact for the duration
of the 12-month period until that designation expires. Until
the Department begins the designation of hospitals as Acute
Stroke-Ready Hospitals, hospitals may achieve Emergent Stroke
Ready Hospital designation utilizing the processes and
criteria provided in Public Act 96-514.
        (1) (Blank).
        (2) Hospitals may apply for, and receive, Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospital designation from the Department,
    provided that the hospital attests, on a form developed by
    the Department in consultation with the State Stroke
    Advisory Subcommittee, that it meets, and will continue to
    meet, the criteria for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
    designation and pays an annual fee.
        A hospital designated as an Acute Stroke-Ready
    Hospital shall pay an annual fee as determined by the
    Department that shall be no less than $100 and no greater
    than $500. All fees shall be deposited into the Stroke
    Data Collection Fund.
        (2.5) A hospital may apply for, and receive, Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospital designation from the Department,
    provided that the hospital provides proof of current Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospital certification and the hospital pays
    an annual fee.
            (A) Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation shall
        remain valid at all times while the hospital maintains
        its certification as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital,
        in good standing, with the certifying body.
            (B) The duration of an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
        designation shall coincide with the duration of its
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital certification.
            (C) Each designated Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
        shall have its designation automatically renewed upon
        the Department's receipt of a copy of the certifying
        body's certification renewal and Application for
        Stroke Center Designation form.
            (D) A hospital must submit a copy of its
        certification renewal from the certifying body as soon
        as practical but no later than 30 business days after
        that certification is received by the hospital. Upon
        the Department's receipt of the renewal certification,
        the Department shall renew the hospital's Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation.
            (E) A hospital designated as an Acute Stroke-Ready
        Hospital shall pay an annual fee as determined by the
        Department that shall be no less than $100 and no
        greater than $500. All fees shall be deposited into
        the Stroke Data Collection Fund.
        (3) Hospitals seeking Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
    designation that do not have certification shall develop
    policies and procedures that are consistent with
    nationally recognized, evidence-based protocols for the
    provision of emergent stroke care. Hospital policies
    relating to emergent stroke care and stroke patient
    outcomes shall be reviewed at least annually, or more
    often as needed, by a hospital committee that oversees
    quality improvement. Adjustments shall be made as
    necessary to advance the quality of stroke care delivered.
    Criteria for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation of
    hospitals shall be limited to the ability of a hospital
    to:
            (A) create written acute care protocols related to
        emergent stroke care;
            (A-5) participate in the data collection system
        provided in Section 3.118, if available;
            (B) maintain a written transfer agreement with one
        or more hospitals that have neurosurgical expertise;
            (C) designate a Clinical Director of Stroke Care
        who shall be a clinical member of the hospital staff
        with training or experience, as defined by the
        facility, in the care of patients with cerebrovascular
        disease. This training or experience may include, but
        is not limited to, completion of a fellowship or other
        specialized training in the area of cerebrovascular
        disease, attendance at national courses, or prior
        experience in neuroscience intensive care units. The
        Clinical Director of Stroke Care may be a neurologist,
        neurosurgeon, emergency medicine physician, internist,
        radiologist, advanced practice registered nurse, or
        physician's assistant;
            (C-5) provide rapid access to an acute stroke
        team, as defined by the facility, that considers and
        reflects nationally recognized, evidence-based
        protocols or guidelines;
            (D) administer thrombolytic therapy, or
        subsequently developed medical therapies that meet
        nationally recognized, evidence-based stroke
        guidelines;
            (E) conduct brain image tests at all times;
            (F) conduct blood coagulation studies at all
        times;
            (G) maintain a log of stroke patients, which shall
        be available for review upon request by the Department
        or any hospital that has a written transfer agreement
        with the Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital;
            (H) admit stroke patients to a unit that can
        provide appropriate care that considers and reflects
        nationally recognized, evidence-based protocols or
        guidelines or transfer stroke patients to an Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital, Primary Stroke Center, or
        Comprehensive Stroke Center, or another facility that
        can provide the appropriate care that considers and
        reflects nationally recognized, evidence-based
        protocols or guidelines; and
            (I) demonstrate compliance with nationally
        recognized quality indicators.
        (4) With respect to Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
    designation, the Department shall have the authority and
    responsibility to do the following:
            (A) Require hospitals applying for Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation to attest, on a form
        developed by the Department in consultation with the
        State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee, that the hospital
        meets, and will continue to meet, the criteria for an
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital.
            (A-5) Require hospitals applying for Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation via national Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital certification to provide proof
        of current Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital certification,
        in good standing.
            The Department shall require a hospital that is
        already certified as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital to
        send a copy of the Certificate to the Department.
            Within 30 business days of the Department's
        receipt of a hospital's Acute Stroke-Ready Certificate
        and Application for Stroke Center Designation form
        that indicates that the hospital is a certified Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital, in good standing, the hospital
        shall be deemed a State-designated Acute Stroke-Ready
        Hospital. The Department shall send a designation
        notice to each hospital that it designates as an Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital and shall add the names of
        designated Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals to the website
        listing immediately upon designation. The Department
        shall immediately remove the name of a hospital from
        the website listing when a hospital loses its
        designation after notice and, if requested by the
        hospital, a hearing.
            The Department shall develop an Application for
        Stroke Center Designation form that contains a
        statement that "The above named facility meets the
        requirements for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital
        Designation as provided in Section 3.117 of the
        Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act" and
        shall instruct the applicant facility to provide: the
        hospital name and address; the hospital CEO or
        Administrator's typed name and signature; the hospital
        Clinical Director of Stroke Care's typed name and
        signature; and a contact person's typed name, email
        address, and phone number.
            The Application for Stroke Center Designation form
        shall contain a statement that instructs the hospital
        to "Provide proof of current Acute Stroke-Ready
        Hospital certification from a nationally recognized
        certifying body approved by the Department".
            (B) Designate a hospital as an Acute Stroke-Ready
        Hospital no more than 30 business days after receipt
        of an attestation that meets the requirements for
        attestation, unless the Department, within 30 days of
        receipt of the attestation, chooses to conduct an
        onsite survey prior to designation. If the Department
        chooses to conduct an onsite survey prior to
        designation, then the onsite survey shall be conducted
        within 90 days of receipt of the attestation.
            (C) Require annual written attestation, on a form
        developed by the Department in consultation with the
        State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee, by Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospitals to indicate compliance with
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital criteria, as described in
        this Section, and automatically renew Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation of the hospital.
            (D) Issue an Emergency Suspension of Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital designation when the Director,
        or his or her designee, has determined that the
        hospital no longer meets the Acute Stroke-Ready
        Hospital criteria and an immediate and serious danger
        to the public health, safety, and welfare exists. If
        the Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital fails to eliminate the
        violation immediately or within a fixed period of
        time, not exceeding 10 days, as determined by the
        Director, the Director may immediately revoke the
        Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation. The Acute
        Stroke-Ready Hospital may appeal the revocation within
        15 business days after receiving the Director's
        revocation order, by requesting an administrative
        hearing.
            (E) After notice and an opportunity for an
        administrative hearing, suspend, revoke, or refuse to
        renew an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital designation, when
        the Department finds the hospital is not in
        substantial compliance with current Acute Stroke-Ready
        Hospital criteria.
    (c) The Department shall consult with the State Stroke
Advisory Subcommittee for developing the designation,
re-designation, and de-designation processes for Comprehensive
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers,
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers
Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals.
    (d) The Department shall consult with the State Stroke
Advisory Subcommittee as subject matter experts at least
annually regarding stroke standards of care.
(Source: P.A. 102-687, eff. 12-17-21.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.117.5)
    Sec. 3.117.5. Hospital Stroke Care; grants.
    (a) In order to encourage the establishment and retention
of Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals throughout the State, the Director may award,
subject to appropriation, matching grants to hospitals to be
used for the acquisition and maintenance of necessary
infrastructure, including personnel, equipment, and
pharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of acute
stroke patients. Grants may be used to pay the fee for
certifications by Department approved nationally recognized
certifying bodies or to provide additional training for
directors of stroke care or for hospital staff.
    (b) The Director may award grant moneys to Comprehensive
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers,
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers
Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals
for developing or enlarging stroke networks, for stroke
education, and to enhance the ability of the EMS System to
respond to possible acute stroke patients.
    (c) A Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable
Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, Primary
Stroke Center Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute
Stroke-Ready Hospital, or a hospital seeking certification as
a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, Primary Stroke
Center Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospital or designation as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital, may
apply to the Director for a matching grant in a manner and form
specified by the Director and shall provide information as the
Director deems necessary to determine whether the hospital is
eligible for the grant.
    (d) Matching grant awards shall be made to Comprehensive
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers,
Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers
Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals, or
hospitals seeking certification or designation as a
Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, Primary Stroke
Center Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospital. The Department may consider prioritizing grant
awards to hospitals in areas with the highest incidence of
stroke, taking into account geographic diversity, where
possible.
(Source: P.A. 102-687, eff. 12-17-21.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.118)
    Sec. 3.118. Reporting.
    (a) The Director shall, not later than July 1, 2012,
prepare and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a
report indicating the total number of hospitals that have
applied for grants, the project for which the application was
submitted, the number of those applicants that have been found
eligible for the grants, the total number of grants awarded,
the name and address of each grantee, and the amount of the
award issued to each grantee.
    (b) By July 1, 2010, the Director shall send the list of
designated Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable
Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary
Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute
Stroke-Ready Hospitals to all Resource Hospital EMS Medical
Directors in this State and shall post a list of designated
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals on the Department's website, which shall be
continuously updated.
    (c) The Department shall add the names of designated
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals to the website listing immediately upon designation
and shall immediately remove the name when a hospital loses
its designation after notice and a hearing.
    (d) Stroke data collection systems and all stroke-related
data collected from hospitals shall comply with the following
requirements:
        (1) The confidentiality of patient records shall be
    maintained in accordance with State and federal laws.
        (2) Hospital proprietary information and the names of
    any hospital administrator, health care professional, or
    employee shall not be subject to disclosure.
        (3) Information submitted to the Department shall be
    privileged and strictly confidential and shall be used
    only for the evaluation and improvement of hospital stroke
    care. Stroke data collected by the Department shall not be
    directly available to the public and shall not be subject
    to civil subpoena, nor discoverable or admissible in any
    civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding against a
    health care facility or health care professional.
    (e) The Department may administer a data collection system
to collect data that is already reported by designated
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals to their certifying body, to fulfill certification
requirements. Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy
Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers,
Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute
Stroke-Ready Hospitals may provide data used in submission to
their certifying body, to satisfy any Department reporting
requirements. The Department may require submission of data
elements in a format that is used State-wide. In the event the
Department establishes reporting requirements for designated
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals, the Department shall permit each designated
Comprehensive Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospital to capture information using existing electronic
reporting tools used for certification purposes. Nothing in
this Section shall be construed to empower the Department to
specify the form of internal recordkeeping. Three years from
the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
Assembly, the Department may post stroke data submitted by
Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready
Hospitals on its website, subject to the following:
        (1) Data collection and analytical methodologies shall
    be used that meet accepted standards of validity and
    reliability before any information is made available to
    the public.
        (2) The limitations of the data sources and analytic
    methodologies used to develop comparative hospital
    information shall be clearly identified and acknowledged,
    including, but not limited to, the appropriate and
    inappropriate uses of the data.
        (3) To the greatest extent possible, comparative
    hospital information initiatives shall use standard-based
    norms derived from widely accepted provider-developed
    practice guidelines.
        (4) Comparative hospital information and other
    information that the Department has compiled regarding
    hospitals shall be shared with the hospitals under review
    prior to public dissemination of the information.
    Hospitals have 30 days to make corrections and to add
    helpful explanatory comments about the information before
    the publication.
        (5) Comparisons among hospitals shall adjust for
    patient case mix and other relevant risk factors and
    control for provider peer groups, when appropriate.
        (6) Effective safeguards to protect against the
    unauthorized use or disclosure of hospital information
    shall be developed and implemented.
        (7) Effective safeguards to protect against the
    dissemination of inconsistent, incomplete, invalid,
    inaccurate, or subjective hospital data shall be developed
    and implemented.
        (8) The quality and accuracy of hospital information
    reported under this Act and its data collection, analysis,
    and dissemination methodologies shall be evaluated
    regularly.
        (9) None of the information the Department discloses
    to the public under this Act may be used to establish a
    standard of care in a private civil action.
        (10) The Department shall disclose information under
    this Section in accordance with provisions for inspection
    and copying of public records required by the Freedom of
    Information Act, provided that the information satisfies
    the provisions of this Section.
        (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, under
    no circumstances shall the Department disclose information
    obtained from a hospital that is confidential under Part
    21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure.
        (12) No hospital report or Department disclosure may
    contain information identifying a patient, employee, or
    licensed professional.
(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.118.5)
    Sec. 3.118.5. State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee; triage
and transport of possible acute stroke patients.
    (a) There shall be established within the State Emergency
Medical Services Advisory Council, or other statewide body
responsible for emergency health care, a standing State Stroke
Advisory Subcommittee, which shall serve as an advisory body
to the Council and the Department on matters related to the
triage, treatment, and transport of possible acute stroke
patients. Membership on the Committee shall be as
geographically diverse as possible and include one
representative from each Regional Stroke Advisory
Subcommittee, to be chosen by each Regional Stroke Advisory
Subcommittee. The Director shall appoint additional members,
as needed, to ensure there is adequate representation from the
following:
        (1) an EMS Medical Director;
        (2) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a
    Comprehensive Stroke Center;
        (2.5) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus;
        (3) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a
    Primary Stroke Center;
        (3.5) a hospital administrator, or designee, from an
    Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital;
        (3.10) a registered nurse from a Comprehensive Stroke
    Center;
        (3.15) a registered nurse from a Thrombectomy Capable
    Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or
    Primary Stroke Center Plus;
        (4) a registered nurse from a Primary Stroke Center;
        (5) a registered nurse from an Acute Stroke-Ready
    Hospital;
        (5.5) a physician providing advanced stroke care from
    a Comprehensive Stroke center;
        (5.10) a physician providing stroke care from a
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus;
        (6) a physician providing stroke care from a Primary
    Stroke Center;
        (7) a physician providing stroke care from an Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospital;
        (8) an EMS Coordinator;
        (9) an acute stroke patient advocate;
        (10) a fire chief, or designee, from an EMS Region
    that serves a population of over 2,000,000 people;
        (11) a fire chief, or designee, from a rural EMS
    Region;
        (12) a representative from a private ambulance
    provider;
        (12.5) a representative from a municipal EMS provider;
    and
        (13) a representative from the State Emergency Medical
    Services Advisory Council.
    (b) Of the members first appointed, 9 members shall be
appointed for a term of one year, 9 members shall be appointed
for a term of 2 years, and the remaining members shall be
appointed for a term of 3 years. The terms of subsequent
appointees shall be 3 years.
    (c) The State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall be
provided a 90-day period in which to review and comment upon
all rules proposed by the Department pursuant to this Act
concerning stroke care, except for emergency rules adopted
pursuant to Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative
Procedure Act. The 90-day review and comment period shall
commence prior to publication of the proposed rules and upon
the Department's submission of the proposed rules to the
individual Committee members, if the Committee is not meeting
at the time the proposed rules are ready for Committee review.
    (d) The State Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall develop
and submit an evidence-based statewide stroke assessment tool
to clinically evaluate potential stroke patients to the
Department for final approval. Upon approval, the Department
shall disseminate the tool to all EMS Systems for adoption.
The Director shall post the Department-approved stroke
assessment tool on the Department's website. The State Stroke
Advisory Subcommittee shall review the Department-approved
stroke assessment tool at least annually to ensure its
clinical relevancy and to make changes when clinically
warranted.
    (d-5) Each EMS Regional Stroke Advisory Subcommittee shall
submit recommendations for continuing education for
pre-hospital personnel to that Region's EMS Medical Directors
Committee.
    (e) Nothing in this Section shall preclude the State
Stroke Advisory Subcommittee from reviewing and commenting on
proposed rules which fall under the purview of the State
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. Nothing in this
Section shall preclude the Emergency Medical Services Advisory
Council from reviewing and commenting on proposed rules which
fall under the purview of the State Stroke Advisory
Subcommittee.
    (f) The Director shall coordinate with and assist the EMS
System Medical Directors and Regional Stroke Advisory
Subcommittee within each EMS Region to establish protocols
related to the assessment, treatment, and transport of
possible acute stroke patients by licensed emergency medical
services providers. These protocols shall include regional
transport plans for the triage and transport of possible acute
stroke patients to the most appropriate Comprehensive Stroke
Center, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready
Stroke Center, Primary Stroke Center Plus, Primary Stroke
Center, or Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital, unless circumstances
warrant otherwise.
(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.119)
    Sec. 3.119. Stroke Care; restricted practices. Sections in
this Act pertaining to Comprehensive Stroke Centers,
Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke
Centers, Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers,
and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals are not medical practice
guidelines and shall not be used to restrict the authority of a
hospital to provide services for which it has received a
license under State law.
(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
    (210 ILCS 50/3.226)
    Sec. 3.226. Hospital Stroke Care Fund.
    (a) The Hospital Stroke Care Fund is created as a special
fund in the State treasury for the purpose of receiving
appropriations, donations, and grants collected by the
Illinois Department of Public Health pursuant to Department
designation of Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy
Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers,
Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, and Acute
Stroke-Ready Hospitals. All moneys collected by the Department
pursuant to its authority to designate Comprehensive Stroke
Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy
Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary
Stroke Centers, and Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals shall be
deposited into the Fund, to be used for the purposes in
subsection (b).
    (b) The purpose of the Fund is to allow the Director of the
Department to award matching grants:
        (1) to hospitals that have been certified as
    Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke
    Centers, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke
    Centers Plus, Primary Stroke Centers, or Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospitals;
        (2) to hospitals that seek certification or
    designation or both as Comprehensive Stroke Centers,
    Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Ready
    Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers Plus, Primary
    Stroke Centers, or Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals;
        (3) to hospitals that have been designated Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospitals;
        (4) to hospitals that seek designation as Acute
    Stroke-Ready Hospitals; and
        (5) for the development of stroke networks.
    Hospitals may use grant funds to work with the EMS System
to improve outcomes of possible acute stroke patients.
    (c) Moneys deposited in the Hospital Stroke Care Fund
shall be allocated according to the hospital needs within each
EMS region and used solely for the purposes described in this
Act.
    (d) Interfund transfers from the Hospital Stroke Care Fund
shall be prohibited.
(Source: P.A. 98-1001, eff. 1-1-15.)