Asheville Water Update: Lifting of Boil Water Notice Signals Progress
When it comes to something as essential as water, Asheville has recently witnessed a sigh of relief as the city lifted its boil water notice on Monday. Residents, businesses, and institutions can now use the city’s water again—an incredibly positive turn of events after a challenging few days!
Hospital Protocols: A Cautious Approach
While the news has been welcomed with open arms, not everyone is rushing back to using city water right away. For instance, Mission Hospital is choosing to take a more cautious route in their transition back to using city water. The hospital’s Chief Operating Officer, Wyatt Chocklett, made it clear that while they are glad to see the boil water notice lifted, they will continue to utilize their own wells and storage tanks at both Mission Hospital and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital for the time being.
“We’ve been following the public health emergency guidelines in the state of North Carolina,” said Chocklett. “We also must adhere to acute care facility licensing requirements, which means the transition to city water will not happen overnight.”
Emergency Services Back in Action
On a brighter note, Mission Hospital’s freestanding emergency room located in South Asheville is operating on city water as we speak! This is particularly exciting because this facility, positioned on Hendersonville Road in Arden, just became an official ER on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Previously an urgent care, it’s a major milestone that enhances the emergency services available to the community.
Chocklett spoke about the significance of the transition from urgent care to a full-fledged emergency room. “As an ER, we can offer services that urgent cares simply can’t provide. We can conduct CT scans, supply life-saving medications, and have access to crash carts for critical emergencies,” he explained.
Meeting Patients’ Needs
So what does this upgrade mean for the patients in South Asheville? Quite a bit! The new emergency room facility is equipped to handle emergencies at any age and even includes a dedicated behavioral health emergency room. “If a patient is in need of emergency resuscitation or faces any emergency situation, we can deliver the necessary supplies and medications—those that you would typically find at a full-service emergency room,” Chocklett noted.
One of the most significant advantages of operating as an ER, according to Chocklett, is the prompt testing and results patients can expect. “We already serve thousands of patients at our main campus ER, and we want to bring that same level of service right here—from South Asheville!”
Conclusion
As Asheville begins its transition back to using city water, it’s clear that safety and reliability are top priorities, especially for institutions like Mission Hospital. Whether through carefully implemented protocols or upgraded services like the new ER, it seems the city and its healthcare facilities are navigating these waters with caution and care.
All in all, the lifting of the boil water notice is a step forward not just for residents but also for the healthcare services that serve this vibrant community. Let’s hope for continued progress and safe, clean water for all!
