The 2018 Virginia General Assembly passed legislation, HB1197 and SB867, to amend the Code of Virginia § 32.1-111.15:1 to require the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to implement systems for data collection and information sharing, apply evidence-based guidelines for community-based follow-up care, and implement quality improvement initiatives to improve the quality of stroke care. VDH convened a Virginia Stroke Care Quality Improvement (VSCQI) Advisory Group to provide recommendations for quality improvement across the Commonwealth.

The purpose of this report to the Virginia General Assembly is to provide updates on the progress to date on the implementation of data-driven action steps and building statewide capacity pursuant to § 32.1-111.15:1. In 2021, VDH collaborated with clinical and community-based stakeholders to apply for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (PCNASP) competitive funding opportunity. The strategies and activities contained in the work plan of the Virginia proposal for the CDC PCNASP align with the previously established legislative mandate. Virginia’s CDC PCNASP work plan has been adopted as the updated work plan for this continued work. The strategies and activities contained in the work plan of the Virginia proposal are outlined under the following requirements of this legislation:

• Implement systems to collect data and information about stroke care;

• Facilitate data sharing and collaboration;

• Apply guidelines for transitioning patients to community-based follow-up care; and

• Establish a process for continuous quality improvement.