Prisma Health is making it easier for patients across South Carolina to access cutting-edge surgical care. The health system is expanding its robotic-assisted surgery program to more hospitals across the state, helping more people benefit from less invasive procedures and faster recoveries—without having to travel far from home.
As part of this effort, new robotic surgical systems are being installed at four hospitals: Prisma Health Richland Hospital and Baptist Parkridge Hospital in Columbia, Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, and Laurens County Hospital in Clinton. In addition, Prisma Health will move some of its current robotic platforms to hospitals that don’t yet offer robotic-assisted surgery, widening access for more communities.
“This expansion reflects our commitment to ensuring that all patients—regardless of where they live—have access to the latest surgical innovations,” said Jennifer Montgomery, Prisma Health CEO for Midlands hospitals. “We’re not only investing in high-tech equipment at our busiest hospitals—we’re also working to increase access to care across the entire health system.”
One of the biggest updates is the addition of the DaVinci 5 surgical system—the most advanced robotic surgery technology in the world—at Richland Hospital and Oconee Memorial Hospital. This system includes Force Feedback, a new feature that gives surgeons a sense of touch during procedures. The technology allows doctors to feel pressure and resistance through the robotic controls, much like they would during traditional surgery. This helps improve control, accuracy, and safety.
Doctors also benefit from improved ergonomics, better visuals, and smoother tool integration. These changes can reduce fatigue and help surgeons perform with more precision.
“We’re excited to be among the first hospitals in the U.S. to use this breakthrough in surgical technology,” said Dr. Andrew Schneider, a general surgeon at Oconee Memorial Hospital. “With sensory feedback, we can reduce the force used on tissue by nearly 43%, which may improve outcomes and speed up recovery for our patients.”
Robotic-assisted surgeries can lead to smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to normal activities.
For more information about Prisma Health and its services, visit PrismaHealth.org.
