ADVOCACY
VSS utilizes many tools to empower the general public, health care professionals and local and state leaders to help effect systems change. It goes about this through a variety of education and outreach initiatives.
Advocacy efforts by VSS and others are making an impact. Below are just some of the supportive activities that have come about since 2007.
Education and Outreach
VSS actively partners with organizations to facilitate information sharing and increase awareness of available resources. Below are some examples of how VSS carries out its education and outreach activities.
- Publishing relevant information in a VSS web environment (link: http://virginiastrokesystems.org/)
- Increasing stakeholder memberships
- You’re The Cure AHA grassroots advocacy network
- My Preventive Care website
- Southern Health members’ assessment and education tools
- Bon Secours HEART aware online assessment VBCH How’s Your Health.org website
- VDH’s Living Longer, Living Better toolkit for the Hispanic/Latino Population
- Pharma Health Assessment online tool (should be through AHA Science Review by Jan 2007)
Policy & Legislation
The Virginia Stroke System is continuously monitoring Virginia public policy for issues that can impact our stroke systems of care. Below are some actions that have taken place since 2007:
- Virginia General Assembly recognized certified Primary Stroke Centers (PSCs) (Feb 2007)
- Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) agreed to address stroke policy: 1) Stroke Policy Workgroup convened (Summer 2007) 2) Policy Recommendations presented and approved (Fall 2007)
- Request by letter from the Chairman that the Virginia Department of Health convene a standing Stroke Systems Task Force to address improvement in Virginia’s Stroke Systems.
- Request by letter from the Chairman that the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association provide assistance on encouraging all hospitals to establish a protocol for the rapid evaluation and subsequent admission or transfer of the stroke patient.
- Request by letter of the Chairman that OEMS report to JCHC in 2008 regarding progress in developing a centralized electronic medical record data collection.
- Request by letter of the Chairman that Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) investigate the option for care coordination service payments for those who have had a stroke.
- Request by letter of the Chairman that Department of Social Services (DSS) and DMAS investigate an expedited Medicaid determination review for acute stroke patients.
- Amend the Code of Virginia to require each regional EMS Council to create a uniform destination plan for prehospital stroke patients, with partners including the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and public safety answering points (PSAPS), as well as other organizations as deemed appropriate. This was submitted to the Virginia General Assembly for consideration January 2008 (HB 479).
- Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed HB 479 (and companion bill SB 344 into law (March 2008) Emergency Medical Services Plan; Stroke Triage Plan. Requires the Board of Health to develop and maintain as a component of the Emergency Medical Services Plan a statewide prehospital and interhospital Stroke Triage Plan designed to promote rapid access for stroke patients to appropriate, organized stroke care. The Plan shall include formal regional stroke triage plans, which shall be reviewed triennially.