In collaboration with hospitals, fire first-responders and emergency ambulance services, Contra Costa Emergency Medical Care Committee, and the Contra Costa Stroke Advisory Committee, Contra Costa EMS has been working towards implementation of a program that will provide quicker access to definitive care for patients with symptoms of acute stroke. Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain has been disrupted due to a blockage in a vessel (ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Research has shown significant reduction in mortality and morbidity when stroke patients are identified in the field and transported, with advance notification, to a hospital staffed and equipped to provide rapid stoke care. A nationally-recognized goal is to provide primary stroke center intervention within three to four and one half hours of onset of symptoms. Identification of a suspected stroke patient begins in the field and requires rapid identification and subsequent triage to a primary stroke center. All ambulance and fire first responder paramedics in the county have been trained in the rapid recognition of stroke patients using the Cincinnati Stroke Scale.
On April 17, 2012, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract #23-516 with San Ramon Regional Medical Center, LLC to act as a designated center to assist patients who have been assessed by ambulance personnel with a suspected stroke, for the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014.
Approval of Contract #23-516-1 will designate San Ramon Regional Medical Center, LLC as a Primary Stroke Center that is prepared to respond with emergency department teams in consultation with neurologists, to promptly intervene when notified of the pending arrival of a stroke patient, through December 31, 2017, including mutual indemnification to hold harmless both parties for any claims arising out of the performance of this Contract.
If this Contract is not approved, designation of this facility as a Primary Stroke Center will impede the implementation of a coordinated stroke system in Contra Costa County.