McDowell EMS leaders have taken a decisive step by implementing a 45-day pause on non-emergent transfers between McDowell Hospital and Mission Hospital in Asheville. Emergency Services Director Will Kehler sent a letter to HCA Leadership on Monday, October 30th highlighting the decision and the continued issues EMS is encountering at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Paramedics are increasingly being frozen in place inside the emergency department in Asheville as they must continue providing care until the hospital takes charge. Ambulance patient offload times that should take 20 to 30 minutes now frequently stretch for hours as paramedics wait for patients to be transferred to a clean room with a nurse at the bedside.
Long wait times for interfacility transfers have been a persistent issue, creating strains on EMS resources and impacting patient care. The 45-day pause on non-emergency transfers going from McDowell Hospital to Mission in Asheville is a significant response to the lack of meaningful solutions from HCA Leadership in Asheville. “Our agency has worked with HCA for more than a year now to address and improve the extended wait times at Mission Hospital,” states Emergency Services Director Will Kehler. “Unfortunately, we are making no progress and the situation is getting worse. Paramedics waiting 1-2 hours in the ER for a bed and a nurse to assume care is a situation that should never be deemed acceptable. Protecting the safety of McDowell County citizens is our top priority. EMS paramedics and ambulances must be readily available within our community to respond to emergencies.”
McDowell EMS and Regional Transfer Services a Mission Health transport service, jointly handle interfacility transfers from Mission Hospital McDowell to Mission Hospital Asheville, a crucial service for ensuring that patients receive the specialized care they need. So far in 2023, McDowell EMS has averaged approximately 53 transfers per month, while the Regional Transfer Service handles an average of 85 transfers monthly.
During the pause, which begins November 6th, resources will be managed to address emergency transfer requests, ensuring that patients in need of emergency transfer from McDowell Hospital for life saving care will not be delayed.
(photo courtesy of McDowell EMS Facebook page)
