Employee Fired After Patient Dies in Bathroom of Mission Health Emergency Department

Mission Health in Asheville, North Carolina, has terminated an employee after a patient died in the emergency department (ED) bathroom on February 10, 2025, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. The patient, experiencing chest pain, was brought in by ambulance. Before an electrocardiogram (EKG) could be performed, he requested to use the bathroom. While inside, he activated the emergency assistance alarm. A nurse on duty reported that 12 to 15 minutes passed before a triage nurse responded, by which time the patient's heart had stopped, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. 

Hospital's Response and Investigation Findings

Mission Health spokesperson Nancy Lindell confirmed the incident, stating, "The sudden death of a patient is devastating, and we grieve whenever there is a loss of life." She noted that the hospital's investigation revealed that certain staff did not follow established protocols, leading to the termination of one individual and reports to the appropriate agencies. The hospital is actively addressing any additional issues identified during the investigation. 

Nurses Raise Staffing Concerns

Several nurses indicated that the ED was overcrowded and understaffed on the night of the incident. This situation may have contributed to the delayed response to the patient's call for assistance. 

Regulatory Oversight and Reporting

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment on whether Mission Health had reported the incident, citing confidentiality regarding potential investigations.