Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on July 29, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 302 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room 5, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule to add 836 IAC 1-2.2 to create a stroke field triage and transportation rule to provide guidelines for all EMS provider organizations and EMS individual providers.

The Indiana EMS Commission has the authority to adopt this rule under IC 16-31-2-7. The proposed rule: (1) provides definitions for applicable terms for the new rule; (2) requires EMS provider organization medical directors to adopt standards for assessment and identification of stroke patients with some minimal standards outlined; (3) provides minimal stroke screening tools to be included in said protocols; (4) requires EMS provider organization medical directors to adopt transportation protocols for stroke patients with considerations to be utilized in developing those protocols; and (5) requires early advance notification to a receiving facility for a suspected stroke patient whenever possible.

The new rule is necessary to: (1) stay current with and codify the national standards for recognition and transport of suspected stroke patients for the EMS industry; (2) improve patient care; and (3) comply with the legislative mandate under IC 16-31-2-9.5.

Public comments are invited and may be directed to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Attn: Kraig Kinney, Indiana Government Center South, 302 West Washington Street, Room E208, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

The proposed rule and any supporting documentation of any data, studies, or analyses are available to be inspected and copied at the office of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security located at the Indiana Government Center South, 302 West Washington Street, Room E208, Indianapolis, Indiana.