Patient Rights & Public Health
It is the mission of CCMS to: Serve the needs of our physician members so they can better serve the needs of the community.
As part of that mission, it is important that we provide our members and their patients educational information on patients’ rights and issues affecting the health of our community.
ACTION ALERT / Petition – NCH Admissions Policy
News on the Policy
Support our Community Education Campaign
Helpful Resources for Patients
CCMS Women’s Health Forum
ACTION ALERT – NCH Admissions Policy
Community Petition: Printable version (may be signed by one person or multiple persons, then fax/email/deliver to CCMS)
Digital Version at Change.org
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
You may have seen in the news recently a new admissions policy that is being considered by NCH Hospitals. If implemented, this policy will have a significant impact on the patient’s right to choose the physician who leads his/her treatment plan, should they need hospitalization. As an advocate for my patients’ health and the overall health of the community, I want you to understand how this decision affects patients.
If NCH Hospitals adopts the admissions policy that is being piloted right now, patients will no longer have the freedom to choose their admitting physician – whether it is the patient’s own general practitioner or a trusted hospitalist.
- A patient’s own physician or team will not able to direct the care needed if admitted to NCH.
- A new physician may be assigned, who does not know the patient or the patient’s physicians.
- This NCH medical team will not have access to outpatient records.
- Even if their own physician can visit in the hospital, he/she will not be allowed to order any tests or treatment and will not be able to make any entries in patient charts to communicate with the patient’s assigned team.
A recent study showed that patients who received care from their primary care physicians during hospitalization were more likely to be discharged to their homes, with higher 30-day survival rates. Additionally, patients will likely experience less stress and anxiety on admission when their own physicians participate in their treatment.
We would like your help to keep Collier County one of the healthiest counties in Florida. Please take a minute to share your concerns about maintaining your right to choose your physician by signing the community petition and sending a letter to the editor at Naples Daily News (letter sample & instructions).
Sincerely,
Cesar De Leon, D.O., CCMS President
Support our Community Education Campaign
Share with us your story and your concerns
Patient Choice Brochure
Educational Video on Proposed Policy:
News on NCH Admissions Policy
Statements from Statewide Physician Associations: Florida Medical Association | Florida Osteopathic Medical Association | Florida Geriatrics Society | Florida Chapter, American College of Physicians
Local Elected Officials Urge NCH to Hold Policy: Letter from City of Naples Mayor to NCH | Letter from Collier County Commission Chair to NCH
Editorial: NCH should slow down, gather data – Naples Daily News, December 15, 2018
Attorneys demand NCH Healthcare System rescind admissions change – Naples Daily News, December 11, 2018
Commentary: NCH’s power play ignores data – Naples Daily News, December 7, 2018
Guest Commentary: Stomping on patient’s rights – Florida Weekly, November 29, 2018
Editorial: NCH should put new admissions policy on hold, stat – Naples Daily News, November 24, 2018
Naples Community Hospital plans to stop admission for independent doctors – NBC-2, November 21, 2018
Physicians fight NCH Healthcare System on proposed admissions policy – Naples Daily News, November 13, 2018
Commentary: Physicians Regional offers doctors free choices – Naples Daily News, November 13, 2018
Commentary: NCH board should vet physician proposal with community – Naples Daily News, November 8, 2018
Commentary: Medical Society questions NCH admissions proposal – Naples Daily News, November 4, 2018
Naples Community Hospital eliminates patient choice of doctor – WINK News, October 26, 2018
New admissions policy at NCH hospitals in Collier concerns independent doctors – Naples Daily News, October 12, 2018
Comparison of Hospital Resource Use and Outcomes Among Hospitalists, Primary Care Physicians, and Other Generalists – JAMA Internal Medicine, December 2017
Community Petition: Printable version (may be signed by one person or multiple persons, then fax/email/deliver to CCMS)
Digital Version at Change.org
Community Petition Advertisement/Poster (as seen in Naples Daily News)
Support our Community Education Campaign
In order to educate the community on the patient’s right to choose their own physician to direct their care when hospitalized, CCMS is accepting contributions to assist with the education campaign costs.
Interested supporters can contribute online (see below) or send checks payable to Collier County Medical Society, and mail to CCMS, Attn: Community Education Campaign, 1148 Goodlette Rd N, Naples FL, 34102.
Community Education Campaign Support Levels:
Patient Advocate: $2500 Pay Online
Patient Supporter: $1000 Pay Online
Patient Backer: $500 Pay Online
Contributor: $250 Pay Online
or, contribute any amount you like! Pay Online
Not able to financially contribute? Please consider sending a Letter to the Editor, sharing with us your story and your concerns, and signing the Community Petition: Printable version (may be signed by one person or multiple persons, then fax/email/deliver to CCMS) or Digital Version at Change.org
You can also share your thoughts with the Naples City Council, and the Collier County Board of Commissioners.
Helpful Resources for Patients
Charitable Healthcare Services
CCMS Speakers Bureau
Give your organization the best physician speakers in Collier County. CCMS member speakers are available to speak to your group meeting on a variety of healthcare topics and issues of concern to those interested in promoting good health. There is no charge for this service. Email us for details.
Healthcare Information & Support
CCMS Patient/Physician Grievance Program
The CCMS Grievance Committee helps patients and members resolve misunderstandings and communication difficulties. This valuable service assists patients and physicians in settling disputes as an alternative to the patient seeking resolution within the legal system. Email us for more information.
CCMS Women’s Health Forum
February 23, 2019 | Naples United Church of Christ
This half-day, educational forum on women’s health, a service of Collier County Medical Society and the Foundation of CCMS, is free and open to the public. The event features presentations from local doctors, exhibits, and refreshments. Please register online; seating is limited. Interested in volunteering at the event? Email us or call 239-435-7727.
Exhibits, sponsorships, and underwriting opportunities are also available. Exhibitor/Sponsor Form