CRMC RECIEVES THA ZERO HARM AWARD

Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has once again been honored by the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) with a Zero Harm Award, recognizing the hospital for achieving zero health care-associated infections in one or more categories during 2025.

“This recognition belongs to every single member of our team,” said Amy Rich, Chief Clinical Officer at CRMC. “It reflects the discipline, the vigilance, and the heart our staff bring to work every day. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished for our patients and this community.”

The Zero Harm Awards recognize Tennessee hospitals and clinical departments that demonstrate exceptional commitment to patient safety by preventing health care-associated infections. Awards are presented in four categories: central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

This year, 100 hospitals earned the award, and 16 achieved the highest recognition for reporting zero hospital-wide infections in 2025.

“We are thrilled to receive this award again,” said Stephanie Etter, infection control manager at CRMC. “Earning it once is an honor. Earning it consistently, year after year, is something else entirely — it means zero infections isn’t a lucky streak, it’s who we are. Every department holds itself to the highest standard, and we never stop asking how we can do even better for the patients who trust us with their care.”

Tammy Van Dyk, senior vice president at THA’s Tennessee Center for Patient Safety, added, “The Zero Harm Awards celebrate what’s possible when leaders and frontline teams unite around a single, unwavering commitment to patient safety. Hospitals and units like these are setting the standard for excellence in Tennessee, creating safer environments and better outcomes for the patients and communities they serve.”

The THA Zero Harm Awards are presented annually by the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety to honor hospitals that go extended periods without health care-associated infections.

CRMC departments named by THA for Zero Harm Awards are:

• 4 East (CAUTI) (CLABSI)
• 5 North (CAUTI) (CLABSI)
• 6 North (CAUTI) (CLABSI)
• CVICU (CAUTI) (CLABSI)
• ICU (CLABSI)
• 5 East (CLABSI)
• 6 East (CLABSI)
• Inpatient Rehab (CLABSI)