Governor Signs Manning Bill Improving Stroke Treatment and Care
June 22, 2021
Nathan H. Manning News
COLUMBUS—Today, State Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) joined Governor Mike DeWine for a ceremonial bill signing of Senate Bill 21, bipartisan legislation which would require the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire and Transportation Services to develop statewide guidelines to be created for the assessment, triage and transport of stroke patients.
"Promoting best practices, while still maintaining situationally dependent flexibility, is critical to protecting the health and safety of stroke patients who are being treated and transported," said Manning. "With Governor DeWine's signature, our first responders will soon have the tools they need to save lives, without being overly prescriptive."
Senate Bill 21 builds on House Bill 464 from the 132nd General Assembly, which created a three-tiered designation system for hospitals based on their capabilities to treat strokes factoring in experience, training and caseload. Often, transferring a patient to the closest hospital can lead to them being transferred multiple times. This bill allows local EMS protocol to be flexible in order to transport the patient to the hospital that can best treat them. The bill also requires the State Board to make available to the public copies of stroke patient protocols established by emergency medical service organizations. Per Ohio law, Senate Bill 21 will go into effect 90 days after the bill signing.
"Promoting best practices, while still maintaining situationally dependent flexibility, is critical to protecting the health and safety of stroke patients who are being treated and transported," said Manning. "With Governor DeWine's signature, our first responders will soon have the tools they need to save lives, without being overly prescriptive."
Senate Bill 21 builds on House Bill 464 from the 132nd General Assembly, which created a three-tiered designation system for hospitals based on their capabilities to treat strokes factoring in experience, training and caseload. Often, transferring a patient to the closest hospital can lead to them being transferred multiple times. This bill allows local EMS protocol to be flexible in order to transport the patient to the hospital that can best treat them. The bill also requires the State Board to make available to the public copies of stroke patient protocols established by emergency medical service organizations. Per Ohio law, Senate Bill 21 will go into effect 90 days after the bill signing.