Local EMS Agency Stroke Quality Improvement and Evaluation Process.

(1)

Policy Development -- A neurologist assisting in the development of LEMSA prehospital care policies, procedures, and protocols relevant to the care of stroke patients.

(2)

Multidisciplinary QI Committee. A multidisciplinary stroke QI committee, including both prehospital and GACH members;

(3)

System Participation. Participation of all relevant prehospital providers as well as EMS receiving GACHs and designated stroke centers in:

(4)

Regional Coordination Review. Evaluation of regional coordination and integration of stroke patient movement, including stroke destination policies or stroke IFTs that involve GACHs outside the LEMSA's jurisdiction;

(5)

Case Review. Review of stroke-related deaths, locally-defined adverse events, and transfers;

(6)

System Performance Evaluation. Evaluation of program structure, process, and outcomes;

(7)

Confidentiality Protections. Compliance with the California Evidence Code, Section 1157.7 to ensure confidentiality and a disclosure-protected review of selected stroke cases.

(1)

Evaluation Support Process. The LEMSA shall implement a process utilizing stroke critical care committee work and regular data reporting to share information bi-directionally with EMS providers, system-participating GACHs, and the local medical community. This process shall support ongoing stroke critical care system evaluation, including the stroke critical care system plan, to ensure that the plan meets the needs of the local EMS system.

(2)

Periodic Performance Evaluation. The LEMSA shall periodically evaluate the performance of its stroke critical care system on a basis of at least every three (3) years. Results of the stroke critical care system evaluation shall be made available to system participants.