Orangeburg, S.C.-based Regional Medical Center has instituted a robot dietitian that roams the hospital to provide nutrition counseling to patients, The Times and Democrat reported Jan. 2.
"Norma" the robot is operated by an off-site employee of food service company Morrison Healthcare, according to the story. "It is demonstrating that we are definitely moving into the high-tech area," hospital CEO David Southerland told the news outlet.
Hospital officials told the Times and Democrat the robot will save money by cutting back on the need for a salaried employee.
The robot is being used by about 10 other hospitals across the country, the newspaper reported.