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Mission Health announced Tuesday the organization would be moving forward with standing up tents at its hospitals in the coming days to create additional capacity for triaging patients outside of emergency departments, should it become necessary as the COVID-19 outbreak evolves.

“All Mission Health facilities have well-established protocols in place to care for patients with infectious diseases, and our emergency planning efforts related to COVID-19 began weeks ago,” said Greg Lowe, President of the North Carolina Division of HCA Healthcare. “While Mission Health has the bed capacity, staffing, supplies and equipment we need at this time, we continue to plan by accessing the resources, support and best practices across HCA Healthcare to help ensure we remain able to meet the needs of the communities we serve as this situation continues to evolve.”

The tents are part of Mission’s standard emergency planning protocols and are simply a precaution at this time. Over the coming days, Mission will conduct training exercises and drills in the tents, allowing caregivers to become comfortable in the environment should the tents need to become operational.

“Over the coming days and weeks, you may see our caregivers conducting these exercises within these tents,” Lowe said. “It’s important to know that we have not yet seen widespread transmission of COVID-19 at this point in our community or a surge in our hospitals.

This is an ongoing process to ensure we’re able to provide safe, compassionate care for those we serve.”

Lowe recognized that residents in local communities are feeling fear and uncertainty during this time.

“While it is impossible to know for certain how this unprecedented outbreak will affect our communities in the coming weeks, we are learning effective strategies from other HCA Healthcare divisions across the country already seeing escalated outbreaks and implementing those for our community. Mission Health and our team of exceptional doctors, nurses – our entire team of caregivers – are here for you,” Lowe said. “Our top priority is protecting the health and safety of our patients and colleagues, and we are working every day to provide the resources we need to provide high-quality care for you and your family during this challenging time.”

Lowe continued, “All of us can take steps to help slow COVID-19’s spread and reduce the number of cases. Mission Health is supportive of Governor Cooper’s Stay at Home order as a way everyone can contribute to protecting the safety of our communities and our medical providers.”

Mission will continue to monitor the situation and work closely in partnership with local and state health departments, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Thursday, Mission Hospital McDowell will host a Community Tele-forum from 5-6 pm. This event is being held via telephone to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the community and practice social distancing.

Join Carol Wolfenbarger, Mission Hospital McDowell CEO, and Dr. William R. Hathaway, Chief Medical Officer Mission Hospital, on the telephone using the toll-free number and access code. Carol will provide an update on the hospital’s COVID-19 preparations, as well as her vision for the future. Time will be available for questions from the public.

To join the Mission Hospital McDowell community tele-forum, dial 877-228-2184. When prompted, enter PIN number 19449. Submit your questions ahead of time at [email protected].