Emergent Stroke Ready Hospitals (ESRH)

Emergent Stroke Ready Hospitals (ESRHs) diagnose, treat, and stabilize acute stroke patients before transferring them to a higher level of care when needed. Located throughout Kansas, these hospitals play a critical role in ensuring timely stroke evaluation and treatment.

To maintain ESRH designation, hospitals must annually attest to the Kansas State Stroke Task Force that they continue to meet the criteria below. Designated ESRHs are required to maintain these standards 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Maintain written emergency stroke care protocols. 
• Maintain a transfer agreement with a hospital providing neurosurgical expertise. 
• Designate a Stroke Care Director. 
• Administer thrombolytic therapy when clinically appropriate. 
• Maintain CT imaging capability at all times. 
• Maintain blood coagulation testing capability at all times. 
• Report stroke data through the designated reporting system. 
• Provide community stroke education.