ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mission Hospital has fired one person and launched an investigation after a patient was found dead in a bathroom, a Mission Health spokesperson said.

No other details about the incident have been released.

“The sudden death of a patient is devastating, and we grieve whenever there is a loss of life,” Mission Health spokesperson Nancy  Lindell said in a statement to 828newsNOW on Tuesday. “We realize there are many questions that need to be answered, and we are examining every aspect of this incident. Our investigation indicates that certain staff who had been trained did not follow hospital protocols. We have terminated one individual and have reported to the appropriate agencies. We are working diligently to address any additional issues that are identified during the course of our investigation. We appreciate our physicians, nurses and colleagues who continue to provide safe and compassionate care to all patients who come to Mission Hospital.”

A spokesperson for National Nurses United said the employee who had been fired was not a union nurse.

The incident has a local health care coalition calling for an increase in staffing levels at the hospital and more information about recent deaths at the facility.

Local elected officials, former and current Mission Health employees and others have planned a news conference for 10 a.m. Friday in the first-floor conference room of the Buncombe County Administration Building.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Mark Hall, a professor of law and director of the Health Law and Policy Program at Wake Forest University. He is one of the nation’s leading scholars of health care law, public policy, and bioethics. Last month he completed a 178-page report on lessons learned from HCA’s purchase of Mission Hospital. See the full report here.
  • State Sen. Julie Mayfield has represented Buncombe County in the North Carolina General Assembly since 2020.

Reclaim HealthCare WNC is a coalition of local physicians, nurses, elected officials, clergy, attorneys and business leaders committed to demonstrating unwavering support for staff at Mission Health and holding HCA accountable through the empowerment of our community.