(A) There is established a Stroke System of Care Advisory Council to be appointed by the director of the department. Representation on the council must be as geographically diverse as possible and composed of, but not limited to, knowledgeable and experienced individuals from the following areas:

(1) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a primary stroke center, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(2) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a hospital with a stroke telemedicine program that is not a primary stroke center upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(3) a hospital administrator, or designee, from a hospital capable of providing emergent stroke care as levels of nationally recognized, disease-specific certification or accreditation programs become available, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(4) a licensed neurologist from a primary stroke center, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Medical Association;

(5) a licensed emergency department physician who also serves as an emergency medical services medical director from a hospital capable of providing emergent stroke care, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Chapter of the College of Emergency Physicians;

(6) a licensed emergency medical services agency representative, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council of the Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(7) a licensed emergency medical services agency representative, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Association;

(8) a licensed air ambulance representative, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Association of Air Medical Services;

(9) a representative from a rehabilitation facility that provides comprehensive inpatient post-acute stroke services, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Hospital Association;

(10) an acute stroke patient advocate; and

(11) a representative from the American Stroke Association.

(B) Members shall serve terms of three years and may be reappointed. Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. The director shall appoint the chairman of the council from the membership of the council, and council members may select a vice chairman from their membership. The council shall meet at least twice a year or at the call of the chairman.

(C) The Stroke Advisory Council is responsible for advising the department on the development and implementation of a statewide system of stroke care in accordance with this article.

(D) Members of the council shall serve without compensation, mileage, per diem, or subsistence.

(E) The director shall provide a formal progress report of the status of this statewide system of stroke care to the General Assembly no later than January 15, 2014.

HISTORY: 2011 Act No. 62, Section 1, eff June 21, 2011.