Prisma Health details EMS capabilities, equipment costs and plans to expand coverage in Oconee County

Prisma Health representatives told the Oconee County Council on May 6 that the health system operates the county's emergency medical services, has upgraded clinical capabilities and is planning coverage expansion into Corn Shiloh and Salem.

The update was presented by a Prisma Health representative and a paramedic who described a recent pediatric trauma case in which early on‑scene care, blood transfusion in the field and rapid air transport helped a child survive multiple surgeries. “Our first paramedic got on scene seven minutes after her mom called…13 minutes after the 911 call, this child was getting their first liter of blood in the yard,” the paramedic said. The presenter added that at the time of that call Prisma Health was one of 10 agencies in the country able to give blood in the field and the only one in South Carolina.

Prisma Health staff said the agency is accredited and uses nationally recognized protocols and training. “We became accredited as an EMS agency, one of about 80 in the nation and only two in South Carolina,” a presenter said, listing other recognitions including pediatric ALS readiness and Mission Lifeline Gold for cardiac care.

The presenters gave operational figures and equipment costs: Prisma Health said it operates 35 ambulances statewide and expects to respond to about 70,000 calls and transport 50,000 patients systemwide this year; within Oconee County staff said last year the local service ran roughly 11,000 calls and that recent years have seen higher call volumes in growing parts of the county. The presentation listed typical equipment costs cited by staff: roughly $350,000 for a frontline ambulance, $40,000 for a cardiac monitor, $40,000 for a blood program in the county, about $20,000 for a Lucas CPR device and about $60,000 for each powered stretcher and loading system.

Council members asked about air transport and costs. Prisma Health staff said the system contracts with a private air carrier and pointed to the federal No Surprise Billing Act as having reduced patient exposure to large out‑of‑network bills. “Since signing the contract with Air Methods, I have not had one complaint or concern about the cost of using a helicopter,” the presenter said, adding that billing is handled through insurer networks under federal rules.

Council members thanked staff for the briefing. There was no formal action on EMS at the meeting; council members asked staff to continue communication with Prisma Health about future coverage plans for Corn Shiloh and Salem.

The presentation also noted community programs supported by Prisma Health, including free EMS support for high school events and a community paramedic program that conducts in‑home visits at no cost to patients.

Prisma Health representatives provided the update as part of the council's regular agenda and answered questions from council members about response patterns, helicopter use and the limits of local authority over contracted air carriers.