{"items":[{"id":179,"0":179,"slug":"clark-regional-medical-center-launches-special-delivery-program-to-improve-maternal-health-and-save-lives","1":"clark-regional-medical-center-launches-special-delivery-program-to-improve-maternal-health-and-save-lives","category_id":1,"2":1,"date":"2025-06-18 13:09:00","3":"2025-06-18 13:09:00","feature_image":"special_delivery_graphic.jpg","4":"special_delivery_graphic.jpg","alt_text":"","5":"","title":"Clark Regional Medical Center Launches Special Delivery Program to Improve Maternal Health and Save Lives","6":"Clark Regional Medical Center Launches Special Delivery Program to Improve Maternal Health and Save Lives","blurb":"

Learn about our newest program to improve the health of new mothers<\/p>","7":"

Learn about our newest program to improve the health of new mothers<\/p>","content":"

WINCHESTER, Ky. (June 18, 2025) –- Clark Regional Medical Center is proud to announce the launch of the Special Delivery Program, an initiative aimed at improving postpartum care and reducing maternal mortality. This innovative program provides postpartum patients with wristbands to wear for six weeks after delivery, helping ensure they receive timely and appropriate care for any potential complications.<\/p>\r\n

The Special Delivery Program reflects Clark Regional’s commitment to advancing maternal health by prioritizing early intervention and raising awareness about the risks associated with the postpartum period. The wristbands act as a visible reminder for patients, families and healthcare providers to remain vigilant about postpartum health during this critical time.<\/p>\r\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), In 2022, the U.S. maternal mortality rate was 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births which is significantly higher than rates in other high-income countries. Alarmingly, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the US is even higher at 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.<\/p>\r\n

Many postpartum complications, such as anemia, hypertension, heart conditions, and infections, occur days or weeks after delivery, and 53% of pregnancy-related deaths happen between 7 and 365 days postpartum. The Special Delivery Program seeks to change this by empowering postpartum patients to advocate for their health and ensuring providers are aware of recent deliveries when diagnosing and treating these patients.<\/p>\r\n

“The Special Delivery Program is a meaningful step forward in supporting postpartum health,” said Matt Smith, chief executive officer of Clark Regional Medical Center. “By providing tools for early identification of potential complications and encouraging community awareness, we are enhancing care during a critical time. This program underscores our dedication to improving health outcomes and ensuring that every postpartum individual has the resources and support they need.”<\/p>\r\n

As a part of this program, postpartum patients will be provided with a Special Delivery wristband before leaving the hospital. This discreet but effective tool helps identify postpartum patients and ensures healthcare providers are aware of recent pregnancies, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.<\/p>\r\n

In addition to wearing the wristband, families, friends and community members are encouraged to \"check in\" on patients that recently delivered during this critical postpartum period. If you see someone wearing a Special Delivery wristband, take a moment to ask how they are feeling and encourage them to seek medical care if they express concerns about their health.<\/p>\r\n

Clark Regional Medical Center invites the community to join in raising awareness about postpartum health and supporting individuals during this critical time. For more information on the Special Delivery Program, including warning signs to watch for, visit www.ClarkRegional.org\/special-delivery.<\/p>\r\n

The Special Delivery Program is not intended to replace postpartum provider visits but to serve as an additional tool to support patients as part of their overall postpartum care plan. Attending scheduled postpartum appointments remains essential for recovery and for addressing any concerns directly with a healthcare provider.<\/p>","8":"

WINCHESTER, Ky. (June 18, 2025) –- Clark Regional Medical Center is proud to announce the launch of the Special Delivery Program, an initiative aimed at improving postpartum care and reducing maternal mortality. This innovative program provides postpartum patients with wristbands to wear for six weeks after delivery, helping ensure they receive timely and appropriate care for any potential complications.<\/p>\r\n

The Special Delivery Program reflects Clark Regional’s commitment to advancing maternal health by prioritizing early intervention and raising awareness about the risks associated with the postpartum period. The wristbands act as a visible reminder for patients, families and healthcare providers to remain vigilant about postpartum health during this critical time.<\/p>\r\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), In 2022, the U.S. maternal mortality rate was 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births which is significantly higher than rates in other high-income countries. Alarmingly, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the US is even higher at 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.<\/p>\r\n

Many postpartum complications, such as anemia, hypertension, heart conditions, and infections, occur days or weeks after delivery, and 53% of pregnancy-related deaths happen between 7 and 365 days postpartum. The Special Delivery Program seeks to change this by empowering postpartum patients to advocate for their health and ensuring providers are aware of recent deliveries when diagnosing and treating these patients.<\/p>\r\n

“The Special Delivery Program is a meaningful step forward in supporting postpartum health,” said Matt Smith, chief executive officer of Clark Regional Medical Center. “By providing tools for early identification of potential complications and encouraging community awareness, we are enhancing care during a critical time. This program underscores our dedication to improving health outcomes and ensuring that every postpartum individual has the resources and support they need.”<\/p>\r\n

As a part of this program, postpartum patients will be provided with a Special Delivery wristband before leaving the hospital. This discreet but effective tool helps identify postpartum patients and ensures healthcare providers are aware of recent pregnancies, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.<\/p>\r\n

In addition to wearing the wristband, families, friends and community members are encouraged to \"check in\" on patients that recently delivered during this critical postpartum period. If you see someone wearing a Special Delivery wristband, take a moment to ask how they are feeling and encourage them to seek medical care if they express concerns about their health.<\/p>\r\n

Clark Regional Medical Center invites the community to join in raising awareness about postpartum health and supporting individuals during this critical time. For more information on the Special Delivery Program, including warning signs to watch for, visit www.ClarkRegional.org\/special-delivery.<\/p>\r\n

The Special Delivery Program is not intended to replace postpartum provider visits but to serve as an additional tool to support patients as part of their overall postpartum care plan. Attending scheduled postpartum appointments remains essential for recovery and for addressing any concerns directly with a healthcare provider.<\/p>","published":1,"9":1,"meta_title":"","10":"","meta_desc":"","11":"","schema_markup":"","12":"","date_formatted":"June 18, 2025","article_bg":"\/sites\/clarkregional\/assets\/posts\/special_delivery_graphic.jpg"},{"id":177,"0":177,"slug":"network-of-central-kentucky-hospitals-use-ai-to-enhance-stroke-care-during-stroke-awareness-month","1":"network-of-central-kentucky-hospitals-use-ai-to-enhance-stroke-care-during-stroke-awareness-month","category_id":1,"2":1,"date":"2025-05-29 09:53:00","3":"2025-05-29 09:53:00","feature_image":"stroke_awareness_month_-_ai.png","4":"stroke_awareness_month_-_ai.png","alt_text":"","5":"","title":"Network of Central Kentucky Hospitals Use AI to Enhance Stroke Care During Stroke Awareness Month","6":"Network of Central Kentucky Hospitals Use AI to Enhance Stroke Care During Stroke Awareness Month","blurb":"

Providing high-quality stroke care, close to home. <\/p>","7":"

Providing high-quality stroke care, close to home. <\/p>","content":"

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.<\/p>\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n

“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.”<\/p>\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n

During Stroke Awareness Month, the hospitals remind the community to know the signs of stroke and act fast using the BE FAST acronym:<\/p>\r\n