Regional Clinical Care

As part of its regional clinical care initiative to offer quality care throughout the Commonwealth, one of University Hospital's focuses is on the assessment and treatment of stroke patients. Through the use of the RP-7™  robot, Drs. Kerri Remmel and Alex Abou-Chebl, of the University Hospital Stroke Center, have the technological capabilities to promptly diagnose stroke patients in multiple Kentucky hospitals. This can be done without leaving the University Hospital campus.

UofL Health Care’s robot network will provide the highly specialized expertise and support resources of the UofL medical faculty to outlying hospitals via a remote controlled robot. As part of an academic medical center, UofL Health Care’s mission is to stay on the leading edge of medicine.

The ability to quickly assess victims of stroke increases the chances of improved outcomes. If patients are treated within an important three-hour window, the likelihood of long-term, debilitating effects are decreased. However, even if a patient isn't treated until the three-hour window has passed, Dr. Abou-Chebl, through the use of advanced technology, can reverse stroke outcomes for eligible patients.

Thanks to the collaboration with other hospitals and the technological advancements seen in the remote physician presence robot network, patients outside of University Hospital have access to the highest quality stroke care offered at University Hospital's Stroke Center.

The RP-7™ 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 ControlStation (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.In November 2007, stroke patients from Owensboro Medical Health System (OMHS) in Owensboro, Kentucky, became the first to benefit from the UofL Health Care Robot Network’s ‘anytime anywhere patient care.’  

Regional Care Partners