2. a. In order to ensure the implementation of a strong Statewide system of stroke care, there is established in the Department of Health the Stroke Care Advisory Panel, which, subject to subsection c. of this section, shall consist of 18 members, as follows: the Commissioner of Health, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio; the Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio; and 16 public members to be appointed by the Governor. The public members shall include two nurses who provide stroke care at a comprehensive stroke center; one nurse who provides stroke care at a primary stroke center; three hospital physicians who are fellowship trained neuro-interventionalists in neurosurgical or neuroendovascular intervention for stroke and who serve as the director of a primary, thrombectomy-capable, or comprehensive stroke center; two physicians who are board-certified in neurology or neurosurgery who provide stroke care, and who serve as the medical director of a primary or comprehensive stroke center; a hospital physician who has clinical experience in non-surgical intervention for stroke; a patient advocate; a representative from a New Jersey facility that provides rehabilitation services to stroke patients; two representatives from emergency medical services providers that transport possible acute stroke patients; a representative from the American Stroke Association; a representative from the New Jersey Hospital Association; and a representative from the Medical Society of New Jersey. Public members shall serve for a term of two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

b. The Stroke Care Advisory Panel established under this section shall organize as soon as practicable but no later than 60 days after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.476 (C. 26:2H-12.28a et al.), and, except as provided in subsection c. of this section, shall select a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the panel. The panel shall meet no less than four times per year and at such other times as may be necessary to discharge its duties. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties within the limits of funds appropriated for that purpose. The Department of Health shall provide staff services to the panel.

c. The chairperson, vice-chairperson, and any public members of the Stroke Advisory Panel constituted in the Department of Health as of the effective date of P.L.2019, c.476 (C. 26:2H-12.28a et al.) may choose to remain on the Stroke Care Advisory Panel for up to one year following the effective date of P.L.2019, c.476 (C. 26:2H-12.28a et al.). Thereafter, the public members shall be eligible for reappointment pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and the chairperson and vice-chairperson shall be eligible for re-selection for their positions pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

d. The Stroke Care Advisory Panel established pursuant to this section shall continue any duties and responsibilities vested in the Stroke Advisory Panel constituted in the Department of Health as of the effective date of P.L.2019, c.476 (C. 26:2H-12.28a et al.). In addition, the Stroke Care Advisory Panel shall be charged with assessing the stroke system of care in New Jersey and identifying and recommending means of improving the provision of stroke care. In addition to any other actions or recommendations as it finds necessary and appropriate, the panel shall:

(1) analyze the Statewide stroke database maintained pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection k. of section 2 of P.L.2004, c.136 (C. 26:2H-12.28) to identify potential interventions to improve the provision of stroke care in the State, with a focus on identifying and improving care in underserved regions and populations of the State;

(2) encourage the sharing of information and data among health care providers on ways to improve the quality of care provided to stroke patients in the State;

(3) facilitate the communication and analysis of health information and data among the health care professionals providing care for stroke patients;

(4) enhance coordination and communication between hospitals, primary, thrombectomy-capable, and comprehensive stroke centers, acute stroke ready hospitals, and other support services necessary to assure access to effective and efficient stroke care, particularly in time-sensitive cases including, but not limited to, large vessel occlusion;

(5) develop treatment protocols regarding the transitioning of patients to community-based follow-up care in hospital outpatient, physician office, and ambulatory clinic settings for ongoing care after hospital discharge following acute treatment for stroke;

(6) establish a data oversight process and implement a plan for achieving continuous quality improvement in the quality of care provided under the Statewide stroke system of care; and

(7) develop model protocols for the assessment, treatment, and transport of stroke patients for use by emergency medical services providers, which shall include best practice standards for the triage and transport of acute stroke patients.

e. The Department of Health shall assign a current employee to the Stroke Care Advisory Panel, which employee shall have primary responsibility for assisting the panel in carrying out its responsibilities with respect to data analysis, data sharing, data oversight, and data reporting. If the department does not have a current employee available who has the requisite skills, training, and experience to fulfil this role, the department may contract with an appropriate third party patient safety organization to perform this function for the panel on an at cost or no cost basis.

f. No later than one year after the date of organization, and annually thereafter, the Stroke Care Advisory Panel shall submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, detailing its activities, findings, and proposals for legislative, executive, or other action to improve and enhance the Statewide stroke system of care.

L.2019, c.476, s.2.