CRMC Suspending Overnight Elective Surgeries

Cookeville Regional Medical Center is suspending elective surgeries requiring overnight patients starting July 13.

CRMC has 18 positive patients in the hospital and 30 others in isolation awaiting test results. CEO Paul Korth said this is the highest number of COVID-19 patients the medical center has cared for.

“So that’s 48 patients that are requiring 48 beds in our facility, and we’re coming to a point where if we continue with elective surgery cases that need beds, we’re not going to have enough beds for our COVID patients,” Korth said.

A fifth COVID-19 related death was reported Thursday morning. Korth said overnight elective surgeries will become available again when COVID-19 cases begin to significantly decrease.

Korth said the hospital is properly staffed and capable to take care of any incoming COVID-19 patients. He said anyone in need of medical care should not delay out of fear of the virus since hospital staff follows strict safety protocols.

Case increases were expected after the state began to reopen, Korth said. He said to slow the spread people should wear a mask, social distance, and frequently wash hands.

“[These] protocols has been proven that this helps stop the spread of this COVID virus,” Korth said. “I cannot overemphasize the fact that people need to be wearing masks in our community, and that is something that just really needs to hit home to people is wear a mask when you’re out.”

CRMC suspended all elective surgeries in March, and resumed surgical procedures in May.