ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Mission Hospital patient under an involuntary commitment order died by suicide inside the hospital’s psychiatric unit in the early morning hours of May 21, according to Asheville Watchdog.

The patient, who has not been publicly identified, was brought to the hospital by law enforcement, according to four people familiar with the incident, Asheville Watchdog reported.

The death occurred during a period of “enhanced” federal safety monitoring of the facility, which has faced repeated sanctions from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since HCA Healthcare acquired the hospital in 2019.

CMS has issued multiple “immediate jeopardy” findings against Mission Hospital since 2021, determining in some cases that patient care lapses posed an imminent threat to patient safety. The agency has previously linked at least nine patient deaths to care failures at the facility, according to CMS findings cited by Asheville Watchdog.

In January, CMS placed the hospital under enhanced monitoring following another immediate jeopardy citation. A subsequent federal survey lifted the sanction but found continued systemic compliance issues. Surveyors were reported to be at the hospital again this week.

A CMS spokesperson told Asheville Watchdog the agency is aware of the reported suicide and takes the matter seriously.

Mission Hospital response

“Out of respect for patient privacy, we cannot comment on a particular patient’s care. However, we can say that the loss of any patient is heartbreaking and traumatic for all involved,” a spokesperson for Mission Hospital told 828newsNOW. “Our teams regularly review protocols with the intent to improve care, always. Additionally, we report to regulatory agencies when appropriate.”

Efforts by 828newsNOW to obtain additional comment from CMS were not immediately successful.