A recent court filing has raised concerns about patient care at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. The focus is on cancer patients on the K9 floor. Dr. Martin Palmeri, an oncologist with Messino Cancer Centers, testified in August 2024 that care for some patients declined after HCA Healthcare acquired the hospital. His testimony is part of a lawsuit filed by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. The lawsuit claims HCA did not maintain oncology and other key services as promised after buying Mission Health in 2019.
Dr. Palmeri described an incident where a nurse did not recognize neutropenic fever, a serious condition for cancer patients. The nurse, who was a temporary staff member, said she was not familiar with the condition. She declined an offer for further training because she was leaving soon. Dr. Palmeri said this reflected larger issues, such as staff shortages and lack of training, which could affect patient safety.
The legal case centers on the asset purchase agreement from HCA’s $1.5 billion purchase of Mission Health. The agreement required HCA to provide services, including oncology, for at least ten years. By late 2023, Mission Hospital reportedly had no medical oncologists on staff to manage chemotherapy and complex cases. HCA has argued in court that the agreement only required facilities and support staff, not specific levels of care…