(a) The department shall identify hospitals that meet the criteria set forth in this article as comprehensive, primary, or remote treatment stroke centers. In addition, the department shall be authorized to establish one or more additional levels of stroke centers, in consultation with the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry, as necessary based on advancements in medicine and patient care.
(b) A hospital shall apply to the department for such identification and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the hospital meets the applicable criteria set forth in or established in accordance with Code Section 31-11-113.
(c) The department shall identify as many hospitals as stroke centers as apply for the identification, provided that each applicant meets the applicable criteria set forth in Code Section 31-11-113 or established by the department.
(d) The department may suspend or revoke a hospital’s identification as a stroke center, after notice and hearing, if the department determines that the hospital is not in compliance with the requirements of this article.