1. (1) Initial inspection.

   1. (a) Each applicant hospital will have an opportunity to meet face to face with Department staff prior to designation as a stroke center.
   2. (b) Each applicant hospital will be asked to provide information to the Department for inspection to ensure the hospital meets the minimum standards for the desired stroke center designation.
   3. (c) The hospital shall also receive an onsite inspection to ensure the hospital meets the minimum standards for the desired stroke center designation level as required by these rules.
   4. (d) The Department's staff will coordinate the hospital inspection process with the inspection team and schedule a time for the inspection.
   5. (e) The hospital will receive written notification of the onsite inspection results from the Department.

2. (2) Level designation change.

   1. (a) If a state inspected and approved stroke center applies to upgrade its designation after being accredited by a nationally recognized stroke accreditation agency, a state site visit may be deferred.
   2. (b) A state inspected and approved stroke center may request to downgrade its designation if coordinated with the OEMS and a site visit may be deferred.
3. (3) Stroke Center Reinspection. Each stroke center shall be re-evaluated no less than every 4 years to ensure designation criteria is maintained.

Author: William Crawford, M.D.; Jamie Gray

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §22-11D-1, et seq.

History: New Rule: Filed August 16, 2017; effective September 30, 2017. Repealed and New Rule: Published January 31, 2022; effective March 17, 2022.