Mission Hospital Teeters on Brink: Faces Immediate Jeopardy Again
Significant safety risks at Mission Hospital bring immediate jeopardy recommendation, questioning HCA's management since 2019 acquisition.
An Ongoing Saga of Safety Sanctions
In a concerning development, Asheville’s Mission Hospital is again under the immediate jeopardy recommendation from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). This marks the third sanction since the hospital came under HCA Healthcare’s ownership in 2019. As stated in North Carolina Health News, the safety deficiencies could result in losing crucial Medicare and Medicaid funding.
A Record of Incidents
The Safety alert stems from incidents recorded over the past few months, culminating in severe incidents reported on July 26, August 19, and September 4. These include a tragic patient death due to disconnected telemetry equipment and lapses in patient transport and infection prevention.
Nurses and Management at Odds
The call for improved safety measures has been mounting among Mission Hospital’s staff. Kerri Wilson, a nurse in the telemetry unit, highlighted ongoing demands for better staffing. “Instead of addressing our safety concerns, management has prioritized profits over patient well-being,” she stated. The professional practice committee underscores that if administration had heeded nurses’ warnings, these incidents might have been avoided.
The Critical Decision Ahead
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now hold the hospital’s fate, set to decide on imposing immediate jeopardy within weeks. Losing federal funding would be financially disastrous. The hospital remains under pressure to submit a plan of correction swiftly.
The Larger Picture
Mission Hospital’s recurring compliance issues paint a broader picture of under-resourced facilities and strained staff. State Sen. Julie Mayfield and other community leaders express their concern, urging HCA to invest more in safety and staff support to prevent future recurrences.
Historical Context and Consequences
In 2024, Mission Hospital was previously placed in immediate jeopardy following similar safety violations. Earlier sanctions in 2021 revealed the gravity of neglect in patient care. The continual jeopardy status calls into question the management’s capacity to address persistent safety lapses in the region’s largest healthcare system.
Mission’s journey to correct these failures will be closely watched, as it reflects broader challenges in maintaining patient safety under for-profit management. The path ahead for Mission Hospital requires immediate action to restore trust and ensure patient protection.
What Lies Ahead
Amidst these regulatory challenges, Mission Hospital’s application to become a Level 1 trauma center hangs in the balance, with only Level 2 currently serving the Western North Carolina community. The focus must shift towards permanent solutions that prioritize patient care and safety over short-term profit margins.
