HEALTHCARE
Mission changes patient transfer process following Watchdog report on nurses’ complaints
Mission Hospital has updated how some patients are transferred from its emergency department to other areas of the hospital following two years of nurses’ complaints to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and an Asheville Watchdog investigation. Mission has instructed nurses to call colleagues – a process known as called report or called hand-off – when transferring patients who have been in the emergency department for at least 12 hours, according to an internal document obtained by The Watchdog. The procedure, which will move the hospital toward conforming with industry best practices, will improve patient safety, the…
Keep readingThe Overlook with Matt Peiken interviews Watchdog editor about Mission and HCA

Local journalist Matt Peiken of the podcast The Overlook recently interviewed Asheville Watchdog executive editor Peter Lewis about his opinion piece “Is There Anything We Can Do About Mission and HCA?” Listen here:
TOURISM
Local leaders: Reduce Buncombe’s tourism marketing budget
In Colorado, occupancy taxes charged on overnight visitor stays pay for first responders, affordable housing and childcare for tourism workers. In California, occupancy taxes fund city and county budgets. On the Outer Banks, a portion goes to offsetting “the negative impacts of tourism.” None of that is allowed in Buncombe County. By law, all of the proceeds from the 6% tax on guests at hotels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts goes back to tourism — two-thirds toward visitor promotion and one-third to capital projects that attract tourists. The formula feeds an ever-growing cycle of more visitors, who generate more…
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Sports Commission members wonder about composition of new board
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Following Watchdog report, Mission sale monitor says meetings to offer public comment
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