Patients face long wait times for ER admission amid Mission’s ambulance handoff delays

Patients wait hours for ER admission due to Mission’s excessive ambulance handoff times

When a person is in the midst of an emergency and being rushed to the hospital, getting treatment as soon as possible is their sole focus. However, recent revelations about ambulance handoff times in 2023 have shed light on the challenges faced by hundreds of Buncombe County patients who had to wait over an hour just to get transferred into Mission Hospital’s Emergency Room.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY TACKLES MISSION HOSPITAL’S WAIT TIMES WITH RAPID HANDOFF POLICY

The delay in the ER admission process has become a significant concern, as highlighted in a recent federal inspection at the hospital. While there have been improvements in handoff times in recent months, concerns linger about the sustainability of these positive changes.

FORMER MISSION DOCTOR SHARES SHOCKING EXPERIENCE

Dr. David Leader, a retired physician from the Chicago area, shared his unsettling experience as a patient at Mission Hospital’s ER. Recounting his 10-hour wait with stomach pain and a lack of medical attention, Leader expressed disappointment in the care provided compared to the hospital’s previous standards.

DATA REVEALS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HANDOFF TIMES

Data obtained from EMS agencies across the mountains painted a concerning picture of escalating ambulance handoff times at Mission Health. In Buncombe County alone, the number of patients experiencing hour-plus handoff times surged from four in 2018 to 461 in 2023.

EMS SERVICES GRAPPLE WITH DELAYS AND IMPACT ON PATIENT CARE

Local EMS agencies, such as Fairview EMS and McDowell County EMS, faced challenges due to prolonged handoff times at Mission Health, impacting their ability to provide prompt care to patients. The inadequacies led McDowell County to briefly suspend non-emergency services to Mission Health.

STAFFING SHORTAGES AND PATIENT CARE SAFETY CONCERNS

Nurses within the hospital raised alarm about the impact of delays on patient care, citing instances of patient neglect and insufficient monitoring due to overcrowding. The shortage of staff exacerbates the situation, with nurses advocating for increased personnel to ensure patient safety.

IMPACT OF DELAYS ON PATIENT OUTCOMES

Critical voices within Mission Health underscored the distressing consequences of prolonged wait times in the ER, noting instances of patient fatalities and compromised care quality due to overcrowding and understaffing.

MISSION HEALTH INITIATES PLAN OF CORRECTION

In response to the challenges highlighted in a recent CMS report, Mission Health has introduced a “plan of correction” aimed at addressing deficiencies in the emergency department. The plan includes measures to enhance staffing levels and streamline admission processes for ER patients.

EMERGING SIGNS OF PROGRESS

Recent data indicates a positive trend in ambulance handoff times, with improvements recorded in various counties. While there is cautious optimism about the current progress, concerns linger about the long-term sustainability of these improvements.

CONTINUED MONITORING OF ER AND AMBULANCE HANDOFF TIMES

News 13 will continue to track developments related to the lawsuit against Mission Health and monitor changes in ER operations and ambulance handoff times to ensure the well-being of patients in Asheville and the surrounding areas.

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