Background
In 2007, the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) conducted a study to develop strategies to address stroke prevention and care across the Commonwealth. To conduct the study, the JCHC staff convened a cross-sectional expert workgroup that met several times to review stroke systems care in Virginia. The workgroup made a number of recommendations to improve Virginia’s stroke systems, all of which were approved by JCHC. Among those recommendations was a requirement that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) convene a standing Stroke Systems Task Force, which later evolved into the Virginia Stroke Systems Task Force (VSSTF). VSSTF membership includes neurologists, EMS, stroke center coordinators, pharmacists, and nurses that are dedicated to improving stroke systems of care in Virginia. The role of VDH is to provide administrative support to the VSSTF.
Mission
“The VSSTF is committed to improving the health and quality of life of all stroke patients/survivors, their families, and communities we serve through quality health care, education and outreach.”
Vision
“We aspire to be an influential voice for a collaborative statewide continuum of stroke care.”
Purpose
The purpose of the VSSTF is to identify and evaluate strategies for enhancing stroke care in Virginia to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Meeting quarterly, the VSSTF focuses on:
- The VSSTF action plan
- Outcome analysis of action plan interventions
- Professional development
- Other stroke issues/concerns
Members
Members include: neurologists, neuroradiologists, emergency care physicians, family practice/primary care physicians, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, nurses, pharmacologist/pharmacists, primary stroke center hospital administrators, stroke survivor, community educators, stroke center coordinators, and representatives from VDH chronic disease and emergency medical services, American Stroke Association, American Heart Association, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Medical Society of Virginia, Virginia Association of Health Plans, pharmaceutical, insurance, and medical device industry, and telemedicine.
Member Qualifications and Characteristics
The ideal VSSTF member will:
- Be a recognized expert in stroke systems and/or one or more of the components of a stroke system of care
- Be in a position to help affect systems change on a statewide or regional scale
- Be willing to share ideas in a cooperative forum
- Deal with other members fairly, sensitively, and confidentially
- Be open to diverse opinions and points of view