Cookeville Regional Medical Center plans to spend $26-million for a new electronic medical records system.
Board Trustee Dan Rader said he is disappointed the hospital administration did not put out a request for proposal for the expense. Rader said he thinks it is premature to make this purchase.
“I know that the one the hospital has selected has a good reputation,” Rader said. “We know the one the hospital has selected is used by a large number of other hospitals, it may be the best choice. I don’t know that because I don’t have request for proposals or responses from other providers to look at and to compare.”
Cookeville Regional chose the system, in part, because of its new contract with Vanderbilt Medical Center. CEO Buffy Key said the hospital has been searching for a EMR options because the current system is sunsetting effective December 31, 2026.
Key said the hospital had to find a system in order to uphold their contract with Vanderbilt.
“It required a transition to a new EMR that would allow them to exchange data easily between our facility and Vanderbilt,” Key said. “We researched and selected the system Vanderbilt had recommended to us through that agreement.”
Rader made a motion to leave the EMR expenses out of the 25/26 hospital budget.
“I do not believe that this decision on the EMR is right for approval at this time, that is my opinion.” Rader said.
Rader’s motion failed in a voice vote.
