The bill aims to enhance cardiac and stroke care in Washington by implementing recommendations from a recent emergency assessment. It establishes a new chapter in Title 70 RCW, which outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Health in overseeing and coordinating a statewide cardiac and stroke system of care. Key provisions include the creation of a statewide cardiac and stroke registry to collect data from emergency medical services and hospitals, the establishment of care system standards, and the requirement for hospitals and emergency services to submit data on a quarterly basis starting July 1, 2027. The department is also tasked with providing technical assistance to hospitals and emergency services, particularly in rural areas, to improve data collection and care delivery.

Additionally, the bill mandates the department to conduct public education on recognizing heart attack and stroke symptoms and emphasizes the confidentiality of individual patient data collected through the registry. It includes provisions for continuous quality improvement in cardiac and stroke care, with annual reports to be submitted to the governor and relevant legislative committees starting in 2028. The bill also recodifies existing law, specifically RCW 70.168.150, into the new chapter created by this act.