Florida Supreme Court finds hospital law unconstitutional

For immediate release
Sept. 4, 2008

TALLAHASEE, Fla. — Patients were the big winners last week as the Florida Supreme Court prevented a hospital from infringing on doctors' ability to safeguard high-quality medical care. The ruling in Lawnwood Medical Center v. Lawnwood Medical Staff ensures hospitals pursue an appropriate balance between patient care interests and corporate interests.

"The victory before the state Supreme Court reaffirms that medical staff bylaws are a binding contract and lays out precisely why these documents are an important part of preserving patient safety," said Cecil B. Wilson, MD, a Winter Park internist and board member of the American Medical Association (AMA). "Hospital boards must work cooperatively with medical staffs to ensure that hospital policies related to financial management do not conflict with the best interests of patients."

The ruling strikes down a Florida statute passed in 2003 that would have eviscerated the rights, duties and responsibilities of physicians at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. The "St. Lucie County Hospital Governance Law" allowed hospital board policy to unilaterally supersede medical staff bylaws in conflicts over privileging, contracting and quality issues. The Florida Medical Association (FMA) vigorously opposed this legislation when it was introduced in the state legislature.

Last year a Florida appeals court found the law unconstitutional. The recent decision by the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling and noted the law "grants Lawnwood almost absolute power in running the affairs of the hospital, essentially without meaningful regard for the recommendations or actions of the medical staff."

"Physicians who comprise medical staffs are in the best position to make decisions on medical issues that affect patients' well-being, not hospital trustees," said Steven R. West, MD, a Fort Meyers cardiologist and FMA president. "The rights, duties and responsibilities of the medical staff must be respected by hospital boards, not circumvented using legislative influence with lawmakers."

"The Lawnwood case is an important court victory, which will prevent hospitals from encroaching on medical staff autonomy and becoming embroiled in a legal tug of war over the division of responsibilities within the hospital," said Dr. Wilson.

The Litigation Center of the AMA and its state medical societies, along with FMA, joined in supporting the Lawnwood medical staff by filing "friend of the court" briefs before the Florida Supreme Court and a lower level appellate court. The AMA Litigation Center and FMA also provided substantial financial support to assist the medical staff in defraying its legal costs.

"This case shows yet again that when doctors enlist the help of organized medicine, the best outcome for patients and doctors can be achieved," said Dr. Wilson.

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For more information, please contact:

Robert J. Mills
AMA Media Relations
Office: (312) 464-5970
Mobile: (312) 543-7268

Lynne Takacs
FMA Communications & Public Relations
Office: (850) 224-6496
Mobile: (850) 445-3533