NCH

At the NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers healing wounds is all we do. We have extensive experience using advanced wound healing therapies. Our healthcare team is trained by nationally recognized wound care experts and all of our doctors and nurses all dedicated to healing chronic wounds. The causes of wounds are complex, and our group represents expertise in all of the major areas necessary to handle your varied circumstances and challenges. Whatever it takes for healing to occur, were equipped and staffed to make it happen.The NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers specialize in the treatment of chronic wounds and non-responsive conditions, offering hospital-based outpatient wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy as well as disease management and diabetes care. The NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers offer highly specialized treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered skin substitutes, biological and biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies. The staff at the NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers is committed to healing patients with chronic wounds by utilizing an evidence based approach to treatment with a variety of advance therapies. In addition to tissue oxygenation, the center also employs the use of vascular studies, tissue culturing and pathology, revascularization, skin grafting and clinical or surgical debridement.Conditions treated include diabetic wounds of the lower extremities, pressure ulcers, soft tissue radiation injuries, necrotizing infections and compromised skin grafts and flaps.The NCH Wound Healing Centers treats patients with chronic and advanced conditions which have not responded to previous therapies. After performing a thorough exam of a new patients wound, including taking photographs to track wound healing progress, the centers clinical staff becomes a partner with the patients doctor. Through regular reports and phone calls, the center works with the patients doctors and other experts in the program to develop a total approach to treatment and care. Evidence-based and best practice driven treatments mean patients do not undergo any treatment or progress to a new level of treatment until the need is clearly indicated. Patients may self-refer; in most instances treatments are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans without requiring a referral.Editors Note: This article was submitted by NCH Healthcare System Wound Healing Centers. With several locations to serve you, call 239-495-4995 for more information.

The Watchman device offers an alternative to the lifelong use of warfarin for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also known as non-valvular AFib). This permanent heart implant effectively reduces the risk of strokewithout the risk of bleeding that can come with the long-term use of warfarin (the most common blood thinner). Whats more, the Watchman device can eliminate the regular blood tests and food-and-drink restrictions that come with warfarin. (Warfarin is also known as Coumadin.) How It Works To understand how the Watchman device works, it helps to know more about the connection between atrial fibrillation and stroke.Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, affects your hearts ability to pump blood normally. This can cause blood to pool in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage, or LAA. There, blood cells can stick together and form a clot. When a blood clot escapes from the LAA and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke. The Procedure The Watchman device is implanted into your heart in a one-time procedure. Its a permanent device that doesnt have to be replaced and cant be seen outside the body.To implant Watchman device, your doctor makes a small cut in your upper leg and inserts a narrow tube, as done in a standard stent procedure. Your doctor then guides Watchman device into the left atrial appendage (LAA) of your heart. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day. After the Procedure Following the procedure, youll take warfarin for 45 days or until your LAA is permanently closed off. During this time, heart tissue will grow over the implant to form a barrier against blood clots. Your doctor will monitor this process by taking pictures of your heart to see when you can stop taking warfarin.Your doctor will then prescribe a medicine called clopidogrel (also known as Plavix) and aspirin for you to take for 6 months. After that, youll continue to take aspirin on an ongoing basis. A very small number of patients may need to keep taking blood thinners long term. https://nchmd.org/cardiology/structural-heart/watchman-device/ 

The NCH Wingard Stroke Institute has earned The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval for Comprehensive Stroke Center Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. There are only 4 designated Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Florida accredited by The Joint Commission and NCH Wingard Stroke Center will become the 5th and only center on the West coast of Florida to achieve this designation. For more than 70 years, The Joint Commission has been a global driver of quality improvement and patient safety in health care. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organizations highest commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. Proper accreditation is now more important than ever for a hospital to display its commitment to high-quality, comprehensive patient care. Thats why The Joint Commission focuses on quality care with the goal of helping hospitals become high reliability organizations for delivering safe, effective care. Achieving Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Certification is the benchmark for delivering the highest level of care in the healthcare industry. No other certifications are as comprehensive, respected, and as widely recognized as the Joint Commission. We could not be more proud of this amazing accreditation we receive today, said Mazen AbuAwad, MD, Medical Director for the NCH Wingard Stroke Institute. This accomplishment as the only Joint Commission designated Comprehensive Stroke Center in SW Florida is the culmination of years of teamwork. It represents a commitment to quality process improvements that are ultimately reflected in the higher-than-average outcomes and care we provide to stroke patients who come to NCH as opposed to going to a non-accredited hospital. NCH had already received certification as a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center from The Joint Commission in coordination with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. This designation makes NCH the one and only certified Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center in Southwest Florida. Todays designation from The Joint Commission further confirms that NCH is the best place to go in a stroke event, said NCH President and CEO, Paul Hiltz. Our community should feel confident in choosing the best quality in SWFL, right here at NCH. We are always doing more to strive for excellence for our patients. As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire a safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate, says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend NCH for its commitment to advancing safety, quality, equity, and compassion for all patients.   

NCH Begins Phased Roll-Out of New Brand for the Healthcare System NAPLES, Fla. September 7, 2023  NCH is proud to announce the commencement of a phased brand transition.  As the system rolls out the new brand over the next year, visitors to NCH campuses will start to see the new logo and  branding appear in facilities and communications.   As an independent, nonprofit, NCH has been a trusted community pillar since its founding in 1956. In the last few years, NCH has experienced rapid business transformation in becoming an Advanced Community Healthcare System that is nationally recognized for clinical excellence.   The bold new brand will deliver on the existing reputation of NCHs commitment to quality, compassion and innovation, while reflecting its position as a premier organization delivering world-class healthcare.   In addition to being named among the top 100 hospitals in the nation for two years running and rated a CMS 4 Star for six consecutive years, NCH most recently received accreditation as a Geriatric Emergency Department by the American College of Emergency Physicians the only one in Southwest Florida. NCH was also awarded an A grade for the Newborn Screening Program from the Florida Department of Health. Additionally, the American College of Cardiology awarded accreditation to NCH for achieving the highest quality performance standards in transcatheter valve therapies.   These recent examples showcase NCHs commitment to be at the forefront of leading-edge quality care. Over the past few years everything from NCHs GME program, dozens of clinical trials and advancements in technology innovation, recruitment of top-notch clinicians and world-class collaborations have transformed a local brand into a nationally recognized healthcare organization.   NCH has experienced a tremendous amount of growth and change, and the new brand is a great way to reflect that, said Dr. Paul Jones, past president of Medical Staff. This rebrand brings excitement for the future and has been physician inspired. NCH continues to partner with physicians from all specialties for the benefit of our community.   Thanks to the efforts and dedication of NCH staff in achieving high-quality outcomes for patients, the decision to change and update the brand reflects the heart of the organizations ongoing commitment to meet the evolving needs of patients and staff, and to better align with our values.   Our commitment to delivering exceptional medical care has always been our foundation, said Paul Hiltz, NCH President and CEO. Our mission remains the same, and we continue to be committed to remaining an independent, nonprofit organization. With this new brand we want our patients and their families to know that we have transformed and elevated our level of care. We are excited to present an image that mirrors the outstanding care we provide.   The new brand will represent a modern, dynamic image that embodies NCHs vision for the future of healthcare. The updated design will feature a bold, vibrant color palette and new logo that gives a nod to our legacy and conveys the organizations sophistication. NCH now stands for Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH). The goal is to create a cohesive and impactful brand experience that resonates with patients, families and the community.   The brand strategy was based on significant data, analysis and input from the community, patients, clinicians, staff and other stakeholders. This initiative comes at a time of heightened focus on patient experience and fiscal leanness, which is why NCH is committed to using existing resources for this brand refresh and rolling out in phases.   We are excited to embark on this new chapter in our organizations journey, said Amanda Lucey, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for NCH. Our brand is evolving to reflect our organizations growth and clinical transformation. This new brand helps convey that NCH is not only forward-thinking, but also forward doing.  

World #1 In Orthopedics is Now in Naples Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Care in Southwest Florida HSS at NCH brings high-quality orthopedic care, including best practices, top surgeons and physicians, and imaging services, closer to home for Southwest Florida residents.Specialties         Hip and Knee Replacement         Primary Sports MedicineBuilding a New FacilityHSS at NCH will design and build the most advanced medical facility at the North Naples Hospital campus.That facility will be more than 80,000 square feet and be a destination for comprehensive outpatient and inpatient musculoskeletal services, including a jointly owned and operated ambulatory surgery center, clinics, imaging and rehabilitation services.The pioneering collaboration is part of the transformation of NCH to become an Advanced Community Healthcare System TM. Our Location: 1285 Creekside Blvd Suite 102 Naples, FL 34109   https://nchmd.org/services/orthopedics-sports-medicine/hss-at-nch/

At the NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers healing wounds is all we do. We have extensive experience using advanced wound healing therapies. Our healthcare team is trained by nationally recognized wound care experts and all of our doctors and nurses all dedicated to healing chronic wounds. The causes of wounds are complex, and our group represents expertise in all of the major areas necessary to handle your varied circumstances and challenges. Whatever it takes for healing to occur, were equipped and staffed to make it happen.The NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers specialize in the treatment of chronic wounds and non-responsive conditions, offering hospital-based outpatient wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy as well as disease management and diabetes care. The NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers offer highly specialized treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered skin substitutes, biological and biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies. The staff at the NCH Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Centers is committed to healing patients with chronic wounds by utilizing an evidence based approach to treatment with a variety of advance therapies. In addition to tissue oxygenation, the center also employs the use of vascular studies, tissue culturing and pathology, revascularization, skin grafting and clinical or surgical debridement.Conditions treated include diabetic wounds of the lower extremities, pressure ulcers, soft tissue radiation injuries, necrotizing infections and compromised skin grafts and flaps.The NCH Wound Healing Centers treats patients with chronic and advanced conditions which have not responded to previous therapies. After performing a thorough exam of a new patients wound, including taking photographs to track wound healing progress, the centers clinical staff becomes a partner with the patients doctor. Through regular reports and phone calls, the center works with the patients doctors and other experts in the program to develop a total approach to treatment and care. Evidence-based and best practice driven treatments mean patients do not undergo any treatment or progress to a new level of treatment until the need is clearly indicated. Patients may self-refer; in most instances treatments are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans without requiring a referral.Editors Note: This article was submitted by NCH Healthcare System Wound Healing Centers. With several locations to serve you, call 239-495-4995 for more information.

The Watchman device offers an alternative to the lifelong use of warfarin for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also known as non-valvular AFib). This permanent heart implant effectively reduces the risk of strokewithout the risk of bleeding that can come with the long-term use of warfarin (the most common blood thinner). Whats more, the Watchman device can eliminate the regular blood tests and food-and-drink restrictions that come with warfarin. (Warfarin is also known as Coumadin.) How It Works To understand how the Watchman device works, it helps to know more about the connection between atrial fibrillation and stroke.Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, affects your hearts ability to pump blood normally. This can cause blood to pool in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage, or LAA. There, blood cells can stick together and form a clot. When a blood clot escapes from the LAA and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke. The Procedure The Watchman device is implanted into your heart in a one-time procedure. Its a permanent device that doesnt have to be replaced and cant be seen outside the body.To implant Watchman device, your doctor makes a small cut in your upper leg and inserts a narrow tube, as done in a standard stent procedure. Your doctor then guides Watchman device into the left atrial appendage (LAA) of your heart. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day. After the Procedure Following the procedure, youll take warfarin for 45 days or until your LAA is permanently closed off. During this time, heart tissue will grow over the implant to form a barrier against blood clots. Your doctor will monitor this process by taking pictures of your heart to see when you can stop taking warfarin.Your doctor will then prescribe a medicine called clopidogrel (also known as Plavix) and aspirin for you to take for 6 months. After that, youll continue to take aspirin on an ongoing basis. A very small number of patients may need to keep taking blood thinners long term. https://nchmd.org/cardiology/structural-heart/watchman-device/