Cookeville Regional Medical Center Launches Infectious Disease Telemedicine

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) enhances patient care by partnering with Access TeleCare to improve coverage of infectious disease specialists via telemedicine, in addition to infectious disease physician Dr. Mark Pierce. This collaboration ensures that inpatients requiring treatment for complex bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections—such as meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, cellulitis, abscesses, and HIV—have immediate access to expert care.

“Providing consistent, high-quality care when our patients need it is a top priority at our medical center,” said Amy Rich, Chief Nursing Officer at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “Telemedicine partnerships are a growing part of healthcare strategies nationwide, and we are excited to expand our telehealth services. In addition to infectious disease telemedicine, we already offer teleneurology through Vanderbilt University Medical Center and QLER Telepsych services to ensure our patients receive expert care from top-tier physicians.”

Through this partnership, Cookeville Regional’s medical team can connect with board-certified infectious disease specialists via secure, high-resolution telemedicine technology within minutes. This allows on-site physicians, nurses, and clinicians to consult specialists for diagnosis and treatment without transferring patients to other facilities. Access TeleCare has worked closely with CRMC’s clinical and operational teams to ensure the necessary resources are in place to support this advanced level of care.

Patients will remain in the comfort of their bed and CRMC staff will bring the telemedicine monitor into the room and connect with an infectious disease specialist to begin their assessment.

“There’s no reason that someone’s zip code should determine their access to the best clinical resources,” said Chris Gallagher, M.D., CEO of Access TeleCare. “Cookeville residents rely on Cookeville Regional Medical Center to be there for them, no matter their health care need or challenge. With our partnership, Cookeville Regional is keeping that promise.”