By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 3515
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a statewide system for stroke
  response and treatment.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 93.001, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivisions (3), (4), and (5) to read as follows:
               (3)  "Department" means the Department of State Health
  Services.
               (4)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
               (5)  "Stroke facility" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 773.202.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 93, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter C to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER C. STROKE RESPONSE AND TREATMENT
         Sec. 93.101.  STATEWIDE SYSTEM FOR STROKE RESPONSE AND
  TREATMENT. The department, in coordination with the council and
  the stroke committee appointed under Section 773.023, shall develop
  and implement a statewide system for stroke response and treatment
  to achieve continuous improvement in the quality of care provided
  to stroke patients.
         Sec. 93.102.  ELECTRONIC STROKE DATABASE; STATISTICAL DATA
  AND OTHER INFORMATION.  (a)  In implementing a statewide system for
  stroke response and treatment, the department shall create and
  maintain an electronic stroke database by:
               (1)  compiling information and statistical data on
  stroke care that align with the stroke consensus performance
  measures developed and approved by the American Heart Association,
  the American Stroke Association, the Centers for Disease Control
  and Prevention, and The Joint Commission;
               (2)  using the stroke guidelines and quality
  improvement program Get With the Guidelines Stroke maintained by
  the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association
  or another nationally recognized data system, provided that the
  department determines that the data system complies with acceptable
  patient confidentiality standards; and
               (3)  coordinating with national voluntary health
  organizations involved in stroke care quality improvement to avoid
  duplication and redundancy in information compiled and maintained
  under this section.
         (b)  To the extent possible, the department shall:
               (1)  require stroke facilities to report statistical
  data consistent with nationally recognized guidelines on the
  treatment of patients who are confirmed to have suffered strokes
  and encourage emergency medical services providers licensed under
  Chapter 773 to participate;
               (2)  encourage health care providers to share
  statistical data and other information about methods for improving
  the quality of care for stroke patients in this state;
               (3)  facilitate the communication and analysis of
  statistical data and other information among health care providers
  who treat stroke patients; and
               (4)  adopt evidence-based treatment guidelines on the
  transitioning of patients to hospital outpatient, physician
  office, and health clinic settings in their communities for ongoing
  care after discharge from stroke facilities following acute
  treatment for stroke.
         Sec. 93.103.  OVERSIGHT PROCESS AND PLAN FOR QUALITY
  IMPROVEMENT.  The department shall establish an oversight process
  and implement a plan for achieving continuous quality improvement
  in the care provided under a statewide system for stroke response
  and treatment.  The process and plan must:
               (1)  analyze statistical data on stroke response and
  treatment contained in the electronic database established under
  Section 93.102;
               (2)  identify potential interventions to improve
  stroke care in geographic regions of this state; and
               (3)  provide recommendations to the department and the
  legislature for the improvement of stroke care and the delivery of
  stroke care in this state.
         Sec. 93.104.  AVAILABILITY OF STATISTICAL DATA.  The
  department shall make available all statistical data reported under
  Section 93.102 to other state agencies, local governmental
  entities, stroke facilities, and emergency medical services
  providers licensed under Chapter 773 that are responsible for
  managing and administering emergency medical services in this
  state.
         Sec. 93.105.  REPORT.  Not later than June 1 of each year,
  the department shall provide to the governor, lieutenant governor,
  speaker of the house of representatives, and standing committees of
  the senate and the house with primary jurisdiction over health
  matters a report summarizing the data collected under this section
  and any related findings and recommendations. The department shall
  post the report on the department's Internet website.
         Sec. 93.106.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Information obtained under
  this subchapter that identifies a patient, or that is otherwise
  confidential under law, is excepted from required public disclosure
  under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not be disclosed for any
  purpose.
         Sec. 93.107.  RULEMAKING. The executive commissioner shall
  adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2014:
               (1)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
  Subchapter C, Chapter 93, Health and Safety Code, as added by this
  Act; and
               (2)  the Department of State Health Services shall
  establish the statewide system for stroke response and treatment as
  required by Subchapter C, Chapter 93, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.