Stroke Point of Entry Plan Effective 1/14/2026

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Department) is sharing with you information about recent regulatory revisions to the Department’s hospital licensure regulation, 105 CMR 130, that require the following: 

·     All hospitals with an emergency department and all satellite emergency facilities must provide acute stroke ready services; 

·     Hospitals may choose to seek certification by a nationally recognized accrediting body as a Primary Stroke Service, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, or Comprehensive Stroke Center. 

With these changes to hospital stroke services, the Department has updated the Massachusetts Statewide Stroke Point-of-Entry Plan (S-PEP).  

Beginning on January 14, 2026, at 7:00AM all ambulance services must follow the updated S-PEP. 

Attached to this email, please find the updated S-PEP, which can also be found at this link. The stroke designation for hospitals can be found at this link.  

Pursuant to the updated S-PEP, 

·                     If the patient has a FAST-ED score of 6 or greater, and

·                     Time from onset of symptoms to hospital arrival will be 4 to 24 hours, and 

·                      It is no more than 30 minutes additional travel time go to nearest DPH- designated endovascular capable hospital 

 ·                     Otherwise, go to the nearest DPH-designated stroke care hospital or satellite emergency facility.