Concern over a new admissions policy led staff physicians at Naples, Fla.-based NCH Healthcare System to issue a vote of no confidence against the system's CEO, NBC 2 News reports.
The system's physician staff held an emergency meeting Jan. 17 and voted "no confidence" in CEO Allen Weiss, MD. The meeting came amid NCH's latest admissions policy, which states that physicians outside of NCH could not write prescription orders.
Some physicians claim hospital administration is increasingly turning to bullying and scare tactics to enact policy changes, the report states. Community residents and physicians have staunchly voiced their opposition to a prior admissions policy announced in summer 2018 that eliminates admission privileges for independent physicians on three floors at NCH's flagship hospital in Naples.
Dr. Weiss previously said the community's concern over the admissions policy stemmed from a "misunderstanding."
Questions regarding the admissions policy may have also led to the cancellation of one of the health system's largest fundraisers scheduled to take place in March.
In a statement obtained by NBC 2 News, NCH said: "We understand there are a variety of perspectives relative to the hospitalist [model]. We are piloting on three units, but hope that the physicians we work with every day to care for patients will recognize that our ultimate goal is to do what is in the best interest of our patients and community."
"The NCH board has not received any official notification of any vote that occurred last night at the physician meeting that has been reported in the media. Nothing has changed. As the board said in its message to the community on January 11: 'The management team and staff at NCH have the full support of the board. The board is proud of the accomplishments of our employees and their passionate commitment to quality,'" NCH Board of Trustees Chair Mariann MacDonald said in a Jan. 18 statement obtained by Becker's Hospital Review.
To access the full report, click here.
Editor's note: This article was updated at 3:05 p.m. Jan. 18 to include additional comment from NCH Healthcare System.