New Jersey § 26:2h-12

§ 26:2h-12.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Despite significant advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention, stroke remains

a common disorder; an estimated 700,000 to 750,000 new and recurrent strokes occur

each year in this country; and with the aging of the population, the number of persons

who have strokes is projected to increase; b. Although new treatments are available to improve the clinical outcomes of stroke,

many acute care hospitals lack the necessary staff and equipment to optimally triage

and treat stroke patients, including the provision of optimal, safe and effective

emergency care for these patients; c. Two levels of stroke centers should be established for the treatment of acute stroke. Primary stroke centers should be established in as many acute care hospitals as

possible. These centers would evaluate, stabilize and provide emergency care to patients with

acute stroke and then, depending on the patient's needs and the center's capabilities,

either admit the patient and provide inpatient care or transfer the patient to a comprehensive

stroke center. Comprehensive stroke centers should be established in hospitals that meet the criteria

set forth in this act, to ensure coverage for all patients throughout the State who

require this level of care. These centers would provide complete and specialized care to patients who experience

the most complex strokes, which require specialized testing, highly technical procedures

and other interventions. Also, these centers would provide education and guidance to affiliated primary stroke

centers; d. There is a public health need for acute care hospitals in this State to establish

stroke centers to ensure the rapid triage, diagnostic evaluation and treatment of

patients suffering a stroke. This should result in increased survival and a decrease in the disabilities associated

with stroke; and e. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the residents of this State to establish

a program to designate stroke centers throughout the State, to provide specific patient

care and support services criteria that stroke centers must meet in order to ensure

that stroke patients receive safe and effective care, and to provide financial support

to acute care hospitals to encourage them to develop stroke centers in all areas of

the State.