After seeing departures from several hospitalists, oncologists, physicians, nurses and urologists, HCA Mission Hospital's staff is about to slim from five neurologists to two, the Asheville Watchdog reported Aug. 20.
The three employees, who are neurohospitalists, told the Asheville Watchdog they plan to leave by the end of September. They said their high patient loads, workforce shortages and pay issues have led to burnout and their decision to leave.
HCA Mission Hospital's neurologists care for patients in a 12-bed intensive care unit, as well as provide services for non-ICU patients, including telestroke consults for regional hospitals. A departing neurologist said the team's telehealth volumes have doubled since 2021 after four facilities were added to their purview.
In 2023, there were seven neurologists at the Asheville, N.C.-based hospital, according to the report. With two remaining in 2024, HCA Mission will no longer have neurohospitalists onsite overnight and a contracted telemedicine company will handle after-hours critical care. The hospital is also reportedly considering changing neurology into a consult service.
Becker's asked HCA if there will be a reduction in its neurohospitalist workforce and if its neurology services are changing. The system did not answer these questions.
"Mission Hospital has 24/7 coverage which includes on-site neurologists, hospitalists, an emergency care team, critical care team, interventional radiologists, neurosurgeons and telehealth physicians," an HCA spokesperson told Becker's. "We continue to actively recruit new physicians, and our neurology treatment will remain seamless throughout these program changes.
"Mission Health is committed to neurology and our many other advanced care services, and we are committed to caring for our community. Mission Hospital is and remains a comprehensive stroke center."