CRMC Board To Renew Infection Control Monitor Software

Cookeville Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees taking the next step on a software purchase for infection monitoring.

COO Buffy Key said the software helps the infection prevention department and pharmacy regulate antibiotics more efficiently. She said in regulating the medicine, it helps staff to monitor infection identification, analysis, and reporting.

“It makes sure that we are giving the proper units for the right drugs,” Key said. “It’s a regulatory system. You know years ago they said that a lot of people were taking too many antibiotics and things like that, so this helps our whole medical staff control the antimicrobials that they prescribe.”

The five-year agreement comes at a price tag of some $486,000. Key said while it may seem expensive, it is a five-year agreement for a big-ticket item software.

“Which I think it is because it is another IS (Information Systems) software,” Key said. “So yes, it is very expensive.”

Key said on the positive side, Chief Information Officer Tim McDermott was able to negotiate for a lower price on a longer contract.

The software is required for reporting to the National Health Safety Network.