Frankfort, KY (May 27, 2010) - Patients, families and physicians in Frankfort, Lawrenceburg and surrounding communities now benefit from a high-tech connection between Frankfort Regional Medical Center and University of Louisville Health Care. Frankfort Regional is the newest partner in UofL Health Care's remote physician presence robot network for stroke care. The network provides the highly specialized expertise and support resources of the UofL medical faculty to outlying hospitals via a remote controlled robot. Started in 2007, the UofL Health Care network now includes 13 hospitals in the state.
Michael Presley, M.D., medical director of the Emergency Department at Frankfort Regional Medical Center said "During a stroke, seconds matter. By having additional and immediate physician access, stroke outcomes are drastically improved."
The remote physician presence robot network is part of UofL Health Care's mission to serve as a regional resource for Emergency Departments. The anytime anywhere patient care' network is designed as a partnership with other hospitals to create better diagnoses, allow patients to remain in their regions when appropriate. If a transfer is recommended, the network offers easy access to technologies, specialist and leading edge treatments available at University Hospital.
Michael Presley, M.D., medical director of the Emergency Department at Frankfort Regional Medical Center, communicates with Kerri Remmel, M.D., PhD. at UofL Health Care to demonstrate the use of the robot for stroke care.
"Prior to our partnership with UofL Health Care, stroke was one of our top two transfers from our emergency department," said Chip Peal, Chief Executive Officer at Frankfort Regional Medical Center. "Now, we're able to provide treatment to stroke patients 24/7 with immediate physician access. Our partnership demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve to providing the best care possible."
Kerri Remmel, M.D., PhD, Chief of Vascular Neurology at UofL Health Care, demonstrates the use of the hospital's new robot for stroke care.
The RP-7TM Robot (invented, designed & manufactured by InTouch Health, Santa Barbara, California) through the utilization of a secured wireless, broadband, internet connection, can provide physician care to patients in another location. Within moments of a request for a medical consultation, a UofL Health Care physician, seated at a computer control station (either at home, office, airport terminal, or anywhere in the world that has a wireless connection) connects via the Internet to the RP-7 Robot located in the partner hospital's Emergency Room to consult on the patient.
Through the robot (which stands 5 feet 6 inches tall), a doctor can interact and converse with a patient, patient's family, physician or nurse through a live, two-way audio and video. Using a joystick, the camera and the guidance of 360-degree infrared sensors, the physician can maneuver the robot through the hospital to a patient's bedside and move the robot's head to view vital signs on monitors and charts. The physician drives the robot through remote access, and the robot is almost self sufficient; the only thing it needs assistance with is plugging in to recharge the robot's battery.
UofL Stroke Team Leader, Kerri Remmel, M.D., PhD. said "Time saved is brain saved. We are proud to work with Frankfort Regional to offer a higher level of care and new options to stoke victims in Central Kentucky."