OSHA investigating Mission Health after nurses union files official complaint

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A nurse at Mission Health tells News 13 that the hospital is not following federal guidelines when it comes to safety precautions during the pandemic.

Hannah Drummond said after repeated attempts to discuss the concerns with hospital management, the nurses union officially filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

News 13 has confirmed OSHA is now investigating and recently visited Mission.

NURSES RALLY OUTSIDE MISSION CITING PATIENT SAFETY CONCERNS

"It's harming our community and it's harming our nurses"

Drummond is a registered nurse in Mission's Emergency Department, and she said what she has experienced there during COVID-19 is harming patient and staff safety.

"We have to exist in a safe environment at work to take care of this community, so the two are very much intertwined," said Drummond.

She said she believes the hospital is not following federal guidelines to protect those inside the hospital during the pandemic.

"It just feels like they are unwilling to move an inch for us, and it's harming our community and it's harming our nurses," said Drummond.

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Drummond said a few months ago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration passed an Emergency Temporary Standard for healthcare systems during COVID-19.

It includes policies for things like access to masks for staff, visitor screenings and communication about exposures.

However, Drummond says the guidelines weren't put into place at Mission Health.

"We had a unit that couldn't get access to N95s, and security came up to me in the middle of a shift was like, 'Hey, these nurses can't get N95s; can I go into your supply room and take a box over to them?'" said Drummond.

She said visitor screenings are not happening now like they were earlier in the pandemic, which is likely a factor in more employees getting COVID-19.

I know there are multiple times that someone has been a visitor that has come in COVID positive that has exposed staff to COVID and people have gotten sick.

She told News 13 that after nurses tried to talk about the issues with hospital management unsuccessfully, they decided to take action.

Along with dozens of other nurses, Drummond held a rally in September to tell the public what was happening.

The nurses union also released this information about the rally.

She said after that the nurses union also filed an official complaint with OSHA.

We learned the agency was recently at Mission looking into the concerns.

It's unclear when the investigation will be complete.

MISSION'S RESPONSE

News 13 reached to Mission Health for a response about the OSHA investigation.

Spokesperson Nancy Lindell sent the following response:

"Mission Hospital takes OSHA policies very seriously. During a recent visit to Mission Hospital, the OSHA survey was completed the same day and compliance with OSHA's COVID Emergency Temporary Standard is anticipated in their report. We appreciate the dedication of all of our colleagues in following the OSHA guidance in our commitment to exceptional patient care."

News 13 also learned that part of OSHA's guidance includes a regulation that hospitals must track COVID-19 cases among staff.

Drummond told News 13 that the nurses union requested that information.

She says according to the hospital, from Sept. 9, 2020 to Sept. 12, 2021, 874 employees at Mission in Asheville have tested positive for COVID-19.

News 13 asked Mission Health about these numbers in order to give some perspective to 874 cases over about a year.

Lindell sent us this statement:

“While anyone can get the COVID virus anyplace outside of their workplace, our hospitals help to ensure a safe environment for all of our employees by complying with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and our infectious disease experts. We comply with guidance outlined by the CDC regarding protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in our facilities, including universal masking for all colleagues, patients and visitors.”

A SECOND INVESTIGATION

News 13 has also confirmed that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is also currently investigating Mission Health.

We asked the reason behind that investigation but have not heard back.

A spokesperson for CMS did say the survey results would be released after the investigation is complete.

Here is the entire statement from CMS:

"On background attributable to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or a “CMS spokesperson,” the State Survey Agency is currently conducting an investigation. The survey results will be made public when the investigation has been completed and reviewed."

News 13 will follow up on both investigations and detail the results when available.