Columbia Fire & Rescue halts medical calls at one facility amid infection control concerns

COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — In a highly unusual and somewhat controversial memo, personnel with Columbia Fire & Rescue will no longer respond to medical calls at one specific health care facility in the city.

The memo was put out by Columbia Fire Chief Chris Cummins in response to a health and rehab facility, which, according to him, has infection control concerns.

The memo, dated March 19th, states that effective immediately, Columbia Fire & Rescue personnel will not respond to medical calls at the Magnolia Health and Rehabilitation facility on Trotwood Avenue.

Typically, fire crews accompany EMS on almost all calls for service. However, as of now, the fire chief indicates that the facility has a problem with a fungus known as Candida auris.According to the CDC, C. auris is a type of yeast that is often resistant to antifungal medications, can cause severe illness, and spreads easily among very sick patients in health care facilities.Columbia Fire & Rescue will continue to respond to the facility for fire-related emergencies only, per the memo.

“This action is being taken to ensure the safety of personnel and to limit potential exposure to a highly transmissible and difficult to control organism,” read the memo, in part.

“Columbia Fire and Rescue will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with appropriate health and facility officials,” the memo continues. “Normal response operations will resume once the issue has been resolved and conditions are deemed safe.”

News 2 reached out to the mayor’s office and the fire department, but no one would speak on camera.

In addition, officials with Magnolia Health did not respond after News 2 reached out for comment.According to the Tennessee Department of Health, individuals can protect themselves against C. auris by wearing personal protection devices and washing their hands, similar to response during the COVID epidemic.

Katie Thomas with Tennessee Health Facilities Commissions sent News 2 the following statement:

We are unable to comment on any ongoing investigation. HFC does not govern or license EMS providers. Per CDC guidance, enhanced barrier precautions are in effect for nursing homes related to this infection, and facilities are required to have protocols in place.

No additional information was immediately released.