Apply for Stroke Service Designation

Primary Stroke Service and Endovascular Capable Stroke Service

Hospitals certified by a nationally recognized accrediting body as a Primary Stroke Service, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, or Comprehensive Stroke Center must submit to the Department:

1. A completed Application for Stroke Center Designation, and
2. A letter of certification from the nationally recognized accrediting body (see 105 CMR130.1404 through 1405).

If the Department approves the Application, the hospital’s license will be updated to designate either Primary Stroke Service or Endovascular Capable Stroke Service. Completed applications for Stroke Center Designation and the letter of certification must be submitted to the Department.

To maintain status as a Primary Stroke Service or Endovascular Capable Stroke Service, the hospital must maintain a current letter of certification. It is the hospital’s responsibility to ensure timely application for re-certification as a Stroke Center with a nationally recognized accrediting body. The hospital must provide evidence of re-certification and other information as the Department may require (see 105 CMR 130.1404).

Acute Stroke Ready Services

Hospitals and satellite emergency facilities do not need to obtain accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body in order to provide acute stroke ready services.The requirements for acute stroke ready services can be found in the hospital regulation at 105 CMR 130.1402 through 130.1403.

Hospitals and satellite emergency facilities applying for acute stroke ready services must submit to the Department a completed Application for Stroke Center Designation and any stroke care agreement with a hospital with a primary stroke service or endovascular stroke service designation within their service area (see 105 CMR130.1403(C)). The coordinating stroke care agreement must be in writing and include, at a minimum, the following:

• Transfer protocols for the timely transport and acceptance of acute stroke patients for stroke treatment therapies which the facility is not capable of providing (see 105 CMR130.1403(C)(1)); and
• Communication criteria and protocols, as needed (see 105 CMR130.1403(C)(2)).