HCA Healthcare Deploys 400 Nurses and Doctors to Asheville Hospitals, Donates $1M
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Western North Carolina, a massive relief effort has been mobilized to support the region’s overwhelmed healthcare systems, with a particular focus on Mission Hospital in Asheville. The influx of patients and strain on resources has left hospital staff exhausted, prompting a nationwide response to provide much-needed reinforcements and supplies.
More than 400 nurses and physicians arrived at Mission Hospital on Monday from sister hospitals within the HCA Healthcare system, which is headquartered in Nashville and owns Mission Hospital. HCA has also donated $1 million towards hurricane relief efforts. This deployment is part of a broader effort by HCA Healthcare to aid exhausted hospital staff in the region.
Clinicians have been sent from various states including Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Kansas, Utah, and California to reinforce the staff at Mission Hospital and other HCA facilities in the area.
Federal Support and Additional Resources
In addition to personnel from HCA Healthcare, federal medical teams have also been deployed to the region, setting up tents outside hospitals and shelters to provide additional medical support. HCA Healthcare has also provided essential resources such as hundreds of thousands of bottles of water, tens of thousands of gallons of fuel, and satellite data networks to support hospital operations.
Addressing Patient Influx and Operational Challenges
These efforts aim to alleviate the strain on local healthcare systems, which have been severely impacted by the flooding and subsequent patient influx. Mission Hospital workers have described dire conditions, with overcrowding, supply shortages, and operational challenges exacerbated by the storm’s impact. The relief efforts are crucial in ensuring that hospitals can continue to provide quality care and meet the increased demand for medical services in the region.
The NCNA and the North Carolina Foundation for Nursing (NCFN) have re-established the NCFN – Nurse Recovery Fund, aimed at providing direct financial support to nurses in the western region of the state who are experiencing loss or damage.
