Network of Central Kentucky Hospitals Use AI to Enhance Stroke Care During Stroke Awareness Month

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2025) – During Stroke Awareness Month, the hospitals of Lifepoint’s Central Kentucky market—Bluegrass Community Hospital, Bourbon Community Hospital, Clark Regional Medical Center, and Georgetown Community Hospital—are spotlighting the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing stroke care and improving outcomes across the region.

At the heart of this innovation is Viz.ai, an advanced AI-driven platform that uses machine learning to analyze brain scans and detect signs of stroke—specifically large vessel occlusions—within minutes. Once a potential stroke is identified, the technology automatically and instantly alerts on-call UK HealthCare neurosurgeons, enabling real-time, expert interpretation and consultation from one of Kentucky’s leading academic medical centers.

This seamless process significantly reduces the time from diagnosis to treatment, ensuring that patients in rural and suburban communities receive the same level of care and urgency as those in major metropolitan areas.

“Our use of Viz.ai allows us to bypass traditional communication delays and get our patients the critical care they need faster than ever,” said Cliff Wilson, market president of Lifepoint Central Kentucky. “The technology allows for a stroke specialist at UK to be reviewing images while the patient is still in the CT scanner—this is game-changing care.”

In addition to this groundbreaking technology, all four hospitals are proud members of the UK HealthCare Norton Healthcare Stroke Care Network, a statewide network of hospitals committed to improving stroke outcomes through consistent protocols, staff education, and access to specialty expertise. Through this collaboration, patients receive streamlined and coordinated care across the continuum—whether they are treated locally or require transfer for advanced interventions.

Each Lifepoint Central Kentucky hospital is also accredited by The Joint Commission for stroke care, demonstrating adherence to national standards of excellence in stroke diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

During Stroke Awareness Month, the hospitals remind the community to know the signs of stroke and act fast using the BE FAST acronym:

• Balance loss
• Eyesight changes
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

With the right technology, training, and affiliations in place, Bluegrass Community Hospital, Bourbon Community Hospital, Clark Regional Medical Center and Georgetown Community Hospital are proud to provide fast, reliable stroke care, close to home.