AdventHealth Hendersonville Takes Steps to Notify Patients and Public: Vendor Reports Possible Food Safety Issue

N.C., November 25, 2019 — Hendersonville, N.C. (November 25, 2019) – On November 22, 2019, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Food Safety Alert regarding the investigation into a multistate outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region. The CDC is advising that consumers not eat, and retailers not sell any of the romaine lettuce in question.

US Foods, which is a food vendor for AdventHealth Hendersonville, reached out make sure all lettuce in question had been discarded. AdventHealth Hendersonville received a shipment of romaine lettuce on Friday, November 22, 2019. Prior to receiving this notification, AdventHealth Hendersonville used two of the six bags in that shipment. It has discarded the remaining lettuce in question and is closely monitoring any lettuce shipments from all vendors for any that may fall into this food safety investigation.

E. Coli symptoms can vary from person to person, but usually include abdominal cramps, nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually begin within 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking items containing the bacteria; however, the CDC states that symptoms can start anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure.

AdventHealth is extending this message to patients and the public. Currently, the CDC does not report any confirmed E.coli cases associated with this outbreak in North Carolina; however, if you believe you consumed romaine lettuce via our patient tray service or in our public cafeteria between the dates of 11/22/19 and 11/24/19 and are suffering from diarrhea that is accompanied by fever higher than 102˚F, blood in the stool, or severe vomiting, please seek medical attention.

Individuals with further questions may visit the CDC Food Safety Alert Link at: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-11-19/index.html

About AdventHealth Hendersonville: Founded in 1910, AdventHealth Hendersonville, formerly Park Ridge Health, is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of our growing communities, providing high-quality, compassionate, not-for-profit care in a Christian environment.

In 1984, AdventHealth Hendersonville became a member of Adventist Health System. With a sacred mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth is a connected system of care for every stage of life and health. More than 80,000 skilled and compassionate caregivers in physician practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and hospice centers provide individualized, wholistic care. A shared vision, common values, focus on whole-person health and a commitment to making communities healthier unify the system's nearly 50 hospital campuses and hundreds of care sites in diverse markets throughout almost a dozen states.

Leading the way in many medical firsts for the region, AdventHealth Hendersonville is the first hospital in Western North Carolina to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for five orthopedic specialties including Spine Surgery, Total Ankle Replacement, Total Hip Replacement, Total Knee Replacement and Total Shoulder Replacement. It is also the first to use the Mazor X™ and Navio™ Robotic Guidance Platforms. AdventHealth Hendersonville consistently earns national ranking for its commitment to patient safety, earning seven consecutive “A” grades in Leapfrog Group’s Safety Grade survey and the 2019 Award for Excellence in Patient Safety Across the Board from Premier, Inc.

AdventHealth Hendersonville includes cardiac care and rehabilitation, emergency services, nationally awarded cancer care, state-of-the-art surgical care, full-service orthopedic care, an award-winning labor and delivery experience, and a full range of imaging services to help people across our region experience whole health. For more information about AdventHealth Hendersonville or to find a physician, please visit AdventHealthNC.com or call Call855-774-LIFE (5433).