Nebraska Stroke and STEMI Systems of Care

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What you need to know

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Office of Emergency Health Systems (OEHS) works closely with partners to establish Stroke and ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) systems of care.  These partnerships educate patients and medical personnel with the goal of increasing patient survivability when they are experiencing a Stroke or STEMI, better known as a heart attack.  The system of care allows a patients entire care team, from the 911 call to the definitive care hospital, to quickly identify, diagnose, treat and transport patients.  Implementing a systems of care improves patient outcomes and decreases patient disability or death.​

General Stroke Information

What is a Stroke:​​

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. Brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or there is sudden bleeding into or around the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

Need to know information regarding a Stroke:

  • ​​Stroke Signs and Symptoms ​
  • sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of body
  • sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • sudden trouble with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
  • sudden severe headache with no known cause. 
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General Heart Attack (STEMI) Information

Please contact Becka Neumiller for information. ​

Stroke System of Care Overview

The Stroke System of Care Act passed in 2016 established the Stroke System of Care to provide patients with the highest quality of care and ensure a seamless transition with all medical personnel involved in the care of the patient.  Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Nebraska and the leading cause of disability in the US. The OEHS partners with the Nebraska State Stroke Advisory Task Force, Nebraska Stroke Advisory Council and the American Stroke Association to implement this system of care. 

The act allows DHHS to designate hospitals as a stroke centers.  Every non-designated hospital is required to provide certification for stroke care that will be collected and distributed to each EMS service physician medical director.​​

Nebraska Stroke Designated Hospitals​

The current Nebraska Stroke Designated Hospitals are:

Comprehensive Stroke Centers:

  • Nebraska Medicine, Omaha
  • CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy, Omaha​

Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers:

  • CHI Immanuel, Omaha

Primary Stroke Centers:

  • Bryan Health Systems, Lincoln
  • CHI Health Good Samaritan, Kearney
  • CHI Health Lakeside, Omaha
  • CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Lincoln
  • CHI Health Saint Francis Medical Center, Grand Island
  • Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings
  • Methodist Hospital, Omaha
  • Nebraska Medicine, Bellevue
  • Regional West Medical Center, Scottsbluff
  • Great Plains Health, North Platte
  • Kearney Regional Medical Center, Kearney   

Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals:

  • Methodist Fremont Health, Fremont
  • Methodist Women's Hospital, Elkhorn
  • CHI Midlands, Papillion​

Hospitals Seeking Designation

If your hospital would like to apply or renew your Nebraska stroke designation, fill out the following application:

Stroke Center Designation Application​

Stroke Advisory Task Force and Meetings

The Stroke Advisory Task Force advises the Department of Health and Human Services on the implementation of the Stroke System of Care. 

Meeting Date​​Agenda​Minutes
​April 25, 2024 - Grand Island.​​
​Ag​​en​​da​​​​
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STEMI Initiative and CARES Registry

A STEMI (ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) is a time sensitive emergency where one or more of the heart's major arteries are blocked.   The STEMI Initiative was started with grants awarded through The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and Nebraska Legislature to purchase equipment capable of identifying a STEMI. The STEMI initiative works to rapidly identify, diagnose, transport and treat STEMI patients to reduce the damage done to the heart.  The STEMI initiative works to rapidly identify, diagnose, treat and transport STEMI patients to reduce the damage done to the heart. 

Nebraska participates in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES), which allows EMS services and hospitals to measure the perform​an​ce of the treatment of cardiac arrest. This information is then used to improve cardiac arrest care to help increase survival rates. 

Please contact Becka Neumiller for more information on how to participate in the CARES registry.

CARES Login​

Becka Neumiller
Stroke and STEMI Program Manager
Phone Number
(402) 560-4949
Fax Number
(402) 742-1140
Mailing Address
Office of Emergency Health Systems
Attn:  Stroke/STEMI Program
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE  68509

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