CRMC Temporarily Stopping All Elective Surgeries

Cookeville Regional Medical Center announced they would put a temporary pause on all elective surgeries due to COVID.

This decision is based on current challenges with bed capacity and higher numbers of the CRMC staff calling in sick. CRMC CEO Paul Korth said in a written statement that they want to, “assure the public that an elective case does not mean their care isn’t important.”

Korth said in the statement that surgeons will use guidelines to determine whether a procedure can temporarily wait, without being detrimental to the patient’s health. CRMC is concerned that the medical center is on the verge of more capacity and overflow issues.

Korth said in the statement, “We are reaching a critical point in our region where our public can’t assume that we’ll have a bed when and if they get sick.”

However, Urgent and emergency surgeries will continue. An elective surgery means it has been scheduled.

CRMC reminds the public to take precautions to help halt the spread of COVID. During the holidays, it is important to wear a mask in public, socially distance and keep small social circles.