At Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, workers are facing unimaginable challenges following the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene. The storm unleashed a record amount of rain, crippling the hospital’s infrastructure and leaving staff scrambling for solutions.
Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Mission Hospital
Hurricane Helene’s swift devastation has left the hospital grappling with severe water supply issues. The situation became dire when the storm obliterated the entire water infrastructure in the area. Hannah Drummond, a nurse and chief nurse representative for National Nurses United, described the scene as “a nightmare.”
- Sewage System Failure: The sewage system became so overwhelmed that flushing toilets was impossible.
- Makeshift Solutions: “We were pooping in bags and buckets,” Drummond revealed, illustrating the extreme conditions faced by both patients and staff.
The Battle for Clean Water
Access to clean water has been completely wiped out. Many patients arrived soaked in floodwaters contaminated with gasoline and chemicals, which posed severe health risks.
Drummond noted, “It’s been really difficult to do decontamination.” Her team resorted to filling trash cans with whatever clean water they could find, attempting to rinse patients off. This lack of hygiene drastically increased the risk of infections and further complications.
Emergency Department Overload
At one point, the emergency department was overwhelmed, housing 200 patients in a space designed for just 100. With food supplies running low, staff and patients alike faced hunger.
- Food Scarcity: “They ran out of food for us on Saturday,” Drummond shared.
Thankfully, food trucks have since arrived, but the initial crisis left a lasting impact on morale.
Steps Towards Recovery
Recognising the urgent need for a reliable water source, HCA Healthcare, which oversees Mission Hospital, dug a well to help meet the water demands.
A doctor at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “We had no toilets. They had to do something.”
HCA Healthcare’s Response
HCA Healthcare has taken significant steps to restore essential services:
- Water Supply: They are now providing over 200,000 gallons of water daily through water trucks, along with hundreds of thousands of bottled water.
- Mobile Units: These include mobile kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and handwashing stations.
As of Wednesday, the hospital’s toilets were operational again, and staff were able to wash their hands, though tap water was still deemed unsafe for drinking.
Community Spirit and Support
Despite the chaos, community support has been invaluable. The number of patients in the emergency room has dropped thanks to outside help, easing the burden on hospital staff.
Visitors have expressed gratitude for the care their loved ones are receiving. “It’s been really excellent, considering the circumstances,” said Mark Thompson, who was visiting his mother.
Another visitor noted the teamwork across departments, stating, “If something needed to be cleaned up, they did it. It’s definitely all-hands-on-deck, and everyone was pitching in.”
Looking Ahead
As Mission Hospital continues to navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the commitment of its staff and the support from the community shine through.
While the situation remains challenging, the resilience of the hospital team offers hope. The community’s spirit and the collaborative efforts to provide care during this crisis are commendable.
Conclusion
The conditions at Mission Hospital are a stark reminder of the impacts of natural disasters on healthcare facilities. The dedication of the staff and the support from the community highlight the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of adversity. As the hospital works toward recovery, the collective effort to restore normalcy remains paramount.
