CRMC Inpatient Rehabilitation Center Celebrates 20 Years of Serving Patients

The Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has celebrated 20 years of serving patients in the Upper Cumberland region. The Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, commonly known as the Blue Roof, is a 20-bed facility with the goal of assisting patients and their families with the transition from an acute hospital setting to home. The department is managed by Kindred hospital rehabilitation services.

The growth since its doors opened on June 12, 2003, has been significant. In 20 years, they have served more than 8,300 patients. The building the Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers reside was a former nursing home. CRMC had the opportunity to purchase the building when the nursing home relocated to another facility allowing the medical center to house both rehabilitation centers inside. In addition to serving the Upper Cumberland, the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center sees patients from Kentucky, Nashville, Knoxville, and Atlanta.

“The Inpatient Rehab Center has taken care of more than 8,300 patients. That does not include the number of family members and caregivers that walked alongside these patients and are the key to the success of their loved ones returning home. We congratulate the Inpatient Rehabilitation team on their 20-year anniversary,” said Buffy Key, interim CEO at CRMC.

The Inpatient Rehabilitation Center develops custom treatment plans built around a patient’s needs. Patients do have to be medically stable and physically able to begin a comprehensive rehabilitation program, which includes three hours of therapy a day, five days a week at the minimum.

“We are here to help patients get well and transition back home,” said Rosemary Downs, Program Director. “When a patient is referred to us, our team reviews their patient records before sending a nurse to evaluate the patient. Once the patient is accepted, they’re evaluated. Once the evaluation is complete, the staff will then begin to develop a plan of treatment. Then the therapy team is meeting weekly to evaluate the patient and to revise his/her goals. Every patient’s treatment plan looks different, but our team comes together to maximize what a person needs. It is a creative process and one that has been serving the area for 20 years. We look forward to continuing to serve the patients in this region.”