ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mission Hospital said it is taking steps to address patient safety concerns raised by community leaders and advocates following the hospital’s recent Immediate Jeopardy designation, pointing to a corrective plan accepted earlier this month by federal regulators.
In a statement provided Monday afternoon, Mission Health said it submitted an enhanced plan of correction to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services after a federal survey of the hospital concluded Jan. 9. CMS accepted the plan on Feb. 2, according to Mission.
Hospital officials said the plan calls for a comprehensive review of Mission’s operations, processes and outcomes, with the goal of creating what they described as a sustainable framework to strengthen patient safety and quality programs.
“We understand the responsibility that we have for the health and safety of our community, and we remain committed to providing high-quality health care to our patients,” the statement said.
Mission’s response came after local elected officials, physicians, nurses and community advocates raised concerns during a news conference organized by Reclaim Healthcare WNC, citing what they described as unsafe patient discharge practices, staffing issues and communication breakdowns at the hospital.
State Sen. Julie Mayfield called on HCA Healthcare CEO Sam Hazen to travel to Asheville to address ongoing concerns, saying repeated regulatory actions involving Mission Hospital are unacceptable and demanding greater transparency and accountability from the company.
Mission Health said it works closely with patients and their families to develop individualized discharge plans and it takes concerns seriously “any time someone feels we’ve fallen short of that commitment.”