Kevin Rudder, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who recently joined Magnolia (Ark.) Regional Medical Center, had requested that the hospital purchase a robot to assist with hip and knee surgeries, according to Magnoliareporter.com.
The board heard the proposal April 26, but took no action about the purchase of the robot, which costs about $1 million, according to the report.
The robot in question was Stryker's Mako system, which is designed to streamline total and partial knee replacements and total hip replacements.
The robot helps surgeons plan procedures and then guides them through the plan intraoperatively. It is designed to protect soft tissue and ligaments from damage.
Magnolia Regional onboarded Dr. Rudder after a yearlong search. Dr. Rudder is tasked with developing "an orthopedic program that will excel in quality and positive outcomes," Rex Jones, CEO of the hospital, said.
Dr. Rudder began seeing patients at the hospital April 19.