Find Innovative Health Care in Robertson County, TN

Multimillion dollar investments allow residents to find excellent services close to home.

By Patsy B. Weiler on May 4, 2023

TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center

A bright, new day has arrived on the Robertson County health care horizon following a recent investment of more than $13 million to expand and enhance the high level of patient care available at TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield.

Quality Care Close to Home

Recently, NorthCrest Health, a fixture in the community since the 1950s, was purchased by TriStar Health, one of the largest and most comprehensive health care providers in Middle Tennessee.

Much more than a new sign on the building, the financial commitment brought new technologies, services and physicians to the hospital, allowing people to receive the latest in care close to where they live and work. Plus, proceeds from the sale of the 109-bed hospital are being used to create a foundation to support health and wellness initiatives in the area.

Sean Patterson, who came aboard as NorthCrest’s CEO in December 2022, is enthusiastic to get started in his new role.

“I am excited to be a part of the Springfield community, to serve its residents and to grow and expand quality health care services in the Robertson County area,” Patterson says. “My job is to remove obstacles and provide the resources needed so our team can effectively deliver high-quality care to the patients we serve,” Patterson says.

Some of the major investments implemented at the hospital include:

» $1.5 million for surgical robotics: This program allows physicians to provide leading-edge surgeries, utilizing minimally invasive methods. The benefits of this type of procedure can mean a shorter hospital stay, less pain and discomfort, and a faster recovery.

» $1.73 million for clinical and ancillary equipment: Upgrades include central sterile equipment, vital sign machines, dish machine, MRI breast coil and defibrillators.

» $2.78 million for upgraded patient care rooms: The funds provide new beds, cardiac monitors, telemetry, nurse call system and patient room TVs to heighten the overall level of the patient’s experience.

“One of the many benefits of being a part of the TriStar family is the financial support our facility receives. TriStar ensures we have state-of-the-art technology and equipment to better care for our patients,” Patterson says. “Our new surgical robot and upgraded imaging equipment are just a few of the improvements made that will help us continue to deliver high-quality care.”

TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center

Community Anchor

Beyond outstanding patient care, NorthCrest is an important economic and educational anchor for the area, serving not only Robertson County but also north central Tennessee and southern Kentucky. It is one of the region’s larger employers, providing nearly 500 jobs and an array of services, such as emergency care, orthopedics, cardiology, women’s care and diagnostic imaging.

As a community hospital, NorthCrest is deeply committed to giving back to its neighbors, including opportunities for students, and perhaps future medical professionals, to visit and learn about the facility’s surgical robot.

Following the acquisition, NorthCrest also gained access to new technology to enhance and improve the patient and employee experience including:

» Meditech: An electronic medical record system for real-time data tracking with improved quality analytics.

» Orbit: An app to track and trend patient and employee feedback to improve overall care.

» NATE (Next-gen Analytics for Treatment and Efficiency): A lifesaving, real-time situational awareness tool for hospitals that delivers timely data, allowing medical teams to quickly prioritize treatment opportunities.

» MyHealthOne: An online personal health portal where patients can manage their own health care services from the convenience of their mobile device or computer.

The hard work of the hospital also resulted in it receiving the 2022 American Heart Association’s Stroke Gold Plus recognition for excellence in stroke treatment services, and it is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and Certified Chest Pain Center by The Joint Commission.

Military Friendly in Robertson County

Here’s a salute to TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center, which in 2022 earned a Military Friendly Employer designation from the website MilitaryFriendly.com. The accolade recognizes companies that have invested in programs to recruit, retain and advance veterans and service members, helping them to transition into civilian careers.

“Hiring veterans and service members is more than just the right thing to do. It makes good business sense,” Kayla Lopez, director of military partnerships at Military Friendly, said in a news release.

TriStar NorthCrest is owned by HCA Healthcare, with HCA recognized as a military friendly and military spouse friendly employer for 10 consecutive years. Since 2012, HCA has hired more than 39,000 military veterans and military spouses, including 9,800 military spouses as part of a federal Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses Coalition.

– Staff writer Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.