Purpose and Authority.

(a)

The purpose of this subchapter is to establish minimum standards for the development, implementation, designation, and evaluation of Stroke Critical Care Systems as components of California's emergency medical services (EMS) system.

(b)

These standards ensure coordinated patient care for the assessment, triage, transport, treatment, and recovery of patients experiencing stroke across the continuum of emergency medical services, from prehospital response through definitive hospital care and rehabilitation.

(c)

The intent of these regulations is to provide consistency among local stroke critical care systems while allowing flexibility for local implementation based on regional needs and resources, in accordance with Sections 1798.150 and 1798.160 of the Health and Safety Code.