Bill Text: VA SJR281 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-22 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ281ER) [SJR281 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SJR281-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, based in Fairfax, the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery is a scientific and educational organization that strives to enhance the quality of patient care nationwide in neurological fields, particularly relating to stroke prevention and stroke systems of care; and
WHEREAS, strokes are a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the United States, taking the life of someone every four minutes and claiming more than 130,000 lives per year; and
WHEREAS, a stroke can affect anyone at any age and at any time and can have devastating, long-term effects if the victim is not treated immediately; and
WHEREAS, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot or aneurysm, but certain specialized care has been shown to provide stroke patients with an excellent chance of survival and even full recovery, depending on how quickly blood flow resumes to the brain; and
WHEREAS, advances in medical research and technology have led to the development of significantly improved treatments such as neuroendovascular surgery, in which highly trained stroke specialists treat patients suffering from a severe form of ischemic stroke by removing or dissolving the blood clot, increasing the patient's chances of survival while greatly reducing long-term disabilities; and
WHEREAS, all local emergency service providers, health care providers, stroke specialists, government agencies, and other stakeholders involved in stroke care, education, and treatment play a critical role in patients' wellness and recovery; and
WHEREAS, patients treated by emergency service providers and other first responders who are properly trained to assess stroke severity and transport stroke patients to neuroendovascular-ready stroke centers, when appropriate, can live up to five years longer than patients who do not receive this specialized treatment; and
WHEREAS, only a small percentage of stroke victims who would benefit from neuroendovascular treatment are currently receiving such lifesaving treatment, but by offering nonstop services, stroke treatment centers can ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner to improve health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, organizations should consider more instruction and education to establish or update stroke systems of care to align with the latest best practices, such as ensuring that members of the stroke response and treatment communities are properly trained to triage stroke patients using a stroke scale or other technology, creating plans to provide patients with emergent large vessel occlusion, and recognizing hospitals based on the level of stroke care they provide; and
WHEREAS, there is an emerging consensus based on quality research that the outcomes of severe strokes can be considerably improved when emergency service providers transport stroke patients to the most appropriate facility based on the severity of the stroke, rather than to the nearest hospital, which may not be equipped to effectively treat certain stroke patients; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery for its work to promote high-quality patient care through education about innovative techniques; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its successful efforts to educate the residents of the Commonwealth about stroke prevention and work to improve stroke systems of care.
