South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-118 - South Carolina Stroke Care System
Sec2 61-118.100 - DEFINITIONS

A. Acute Care Hospital. A hospital licensed by the Department that has facilities, medical staff and all necessary personnel to provide diagnosis, care, and treatment of a wide range of acute conditions, including injuries.

B. Acute Stroke Ready Hospital ("ASRH"). Disease-specific certification by the Joint Commission or other nationally recognized organization at the level of Acute Stroke Ready Hospital and recognized by the Department.

C. Certificate of Recognition. A document issued by the Department to an Acute Care Hospital indicating the Department has recognized the Acute Care Hospital as a Stroke Center at a stroke Recognition level appearing in Section 204 of this regulation.

D. Certificate Holder. An Acute Care Hospital with a current Certificate of Recognition from the Department and with whom rests the ultimate responsibility for compliance with this regulation.

E. Comprehensive Stroke Center ("CSC"). Disease-specific certification by the Joint Commission or other nationally recognized organization at the level of Comprehensive Stroke Center, and recognized by the Department.

F. Department. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ("DHEC").

G. Emergency Medical Services ("EMS"). The treatment and transport of patients in crisis health situations occurring from a medical emergency or from an accident, natural disaster, or similar life-threatening situation, through a system of coordinated response and emergency medical care.

H. Primary Stroke Center ("PSC"). Disease-specific certification by the Joint Commission or other nationally recognized organization at the level of Primary Stroke Center, and recognized by the Department.

I. Recognition. The formal determination by the Department that an Acute Care Hospital is certified or accredited to provide a particular level of stroke care services.

J. State Stroke Registry Database. The stroke data collection and evaluation system, also known as "Get With The Guidelines-Stroke," designed to include, but not be limited to, stroke studies, patient care and outcomes, and severity of illness in the State. The data elements collected in the State Stroke Registry Database are determined by the Department with collaboration from the Stroke Advisory Council.

K. Stroke Advisory Council ("SAC"). Stroke System of Care Advisory Council created pursuant to S.C. Code Section 44-61-65 0(A).

L. Stroke Care System. An organized statewide system of care for the Stroke Patient, including the Department, EMS providers, hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation providers, and other providers who have agreed to participate in coordinating stroke care services and who have been recognized by the Department in an organized statewide system.

M. Stroke Center. A hospital recognized by the Department as certified or accredited by the Joint Commission or another nationally recognized organization that provides disease-specific certification or accreditation for stroke care.

N. Stroke Patient. An individual being treated for a sudden brain dysfunction due to a disturbance of cerebral circulation. The resulting impairments include, but are not limited to, paralysis, slurred speech, and/or vision loss. Strokes can be classified as either ischemic or hemorrhagic.

O. Telemedicine-Enabled Stroke Center. A center utilizing interactive audio, video, and other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment of acute stroke. Telemedicine-Enabled Stroke Centers offer telemedicine services for stroke on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis, have a transfer plan in place with at least one (1) PSC or CSC, and report a minimum of four (4) performance measures of their choosing, at least two (2) of which are clinical measures related to clinical practice guidelines, quarterly to the State Stroke Registry Database.

P. Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center ("TSC"). Disease-specific certification by the Joint Commission or other nationally recognized organization at the level of Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, and recognized by the Department.