The Stroke System of Care is a voluntary system comprised of several separate components, which are organized and work together as a system. The individual components and elements are described below:
* Stroke Regions - This component facilitates system organization, coordination, and education requirements for both practitioners and the public. Each Stroke Region (North, Central, and South) will have a regional Coordinator, who will schedule and facilitate quarterly regional meetings.
* Pre-Hospital Component - EMS units are an integral part of the STEMI System. All EMTs and paramedics need to have a basic knowledge and awareness of the Stroke System elements and system function. Specifically, this knowledge refers to entry criteria (identification of an acute ischemic stroke), triage and destination guidelines, and communication procedures. On-line and off-line medical control physicians will also need to be involved with the Stroke System elements and system function.
* Hospital Component - Hospitals may participate in the Stroke System on a voluntary basis.
* Program oversight is provided by MSDH's Bureau of Acute Care Systems.
15 Miss. Code. R. 8-90-05-521.01