S.J.R. 14 Enrolled

JOINT RESOLUTION ON STROKE
AWARENESS
2005 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
House Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This joint resolution of the Legislature urges that public and private entities partner
with the Legislature to establish a stroke care system in the state.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. urges that public and private entities work with the Legislature to establish a
cohesive statewide system of stroke care in Utah; and
. urges that the stroke care system be designed for all state residents stricken by
stroke.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart
Association, is promoting a public awareness campaign "Time Lost = Brain Lost" to offer
advocates for stroke awareness an opportunity to educate the public and policymakers about the
devastating effects of stroke;
WHEREAS, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, striking
approximately 700,000 Americans each year and accounting for more than 6,000
hospitalizations per year in Utah;
WHEREAS, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United

States with approximately 4.8 million stroke survivors today;
WHEREAS, of the 25,387 Utahns who report having had a stroke, only 50% return to
routine or self-care and 900 die each year from stroke;
WHEREAS, in 2004 the estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke was approximately
$53.6 billion;
WHEREAS, in Utah the annual cost of hospitalization due to stroke has increased by
43% since 1993;
WHEREAS, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science has concluded
that the fragmentation of the delivery of health care services frequently results in suboptimal
treatment, safety concerns, and inefficient use of health care resources;
WHEREAS, the Institute of Medicine has recommended the establishment of coordinated
systems of care that integrate preventative and treatment services and promote patient access to
evidence-based care;
WHEREAS, the Utah Department of Health and the American Stroke Association Task
Force are working on a systems approach that is necessary to effectuate true change in the way
stroke is treated statewide, so that patients have access to the most advanced treatment in centers
that are best designed and equipped to deal with the critical and time sensitive needs of stroke
patients; and
WHEREAS, the main purpose of a statewide system of stroke treatment is to establish an
effective approach to dealing with stroke patients, including assessing center designations,
emergency medical service protocols and field triage, interfacility stroke transfer, and stroke data
collection:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urges
that public and private entities work with the Legislature to establish a cohesive statewide system
of stroke care for all state residents stricken by stroke.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the American
Stroke Association Task Force within the American Heart Association, the Institute of Medicine
of the National Academy of Science, and the Utah Department of Health.