John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital Malpractice & Violations

Hospital performance describes the quality of care patients can expect when visiting a local healthcare facility. These ratings are based on safety protocols, quality guidelines, patient surveys, and adherence to healthcare standards.

Reviewing healthcare facilities can help patients choose the best hospital for their needs. If a hospital is negligent in its care, these deficiencies and violations can signal potential malpractice risks, harming residents.

These facilities should be held accountable for any resulting abuse or neglect, ensuring they maintain proper standards and compensate patients for damages caused by substandard care.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to improving healthcare in Cook County. By holding physicians and nurses accountable for substandard care, we can help shape the healthcare services of Chicago, Illinois.

About John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County

Cook County-located Stroger Hospital is the region’s main public healthcare facility, providing medical care to all residents regardless of their ability to pay.

Overview

John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County is a 450-bed Level I trauma center at 1969 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612. It offers specialty and subspecialty care. The hospital provides medical services covering various care needs, including oral and maxillofacial, labor and delivery, women’s and children’s care, neurology, nephrology, and rheumatology.

The John H. Cook County Hospital also offers inpatient and outpatient surgery, neurosurgery, pediatrics, and community clinic services. It’s also a teaching hospital and partners with local medical and nursing schools to educate new medical professionals.

The Stroger Jr. Hospital was founded in 1832 by the Rush Medical School as a state-of-the-art teaching hospital to serve Civil War needs. The facility was moved to the Beaux-Arts complex in Chicago, Illinois, and renamed to honor the Cook County board president, John Stroger Jr. The facility focuses on researching and identifying innovations in healthcare.

Ownership and Affiliations

The John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital is a public hospital that is part of the Cook County Health and Hospital System, which includes the Provident Hospital of Cook County. The Cook County Health Department also consists of the Arlington Heights Health Center, Belmont Cragin Health Center, Blue Island Health Center, Cermak Health Services of Cook County, and more.

The hospital is publicly owned, meaning it’s government-owned and funded by taxpayers. Public hospitals nationwide typically offer lower-cost services and accept more insurance plans.

Reputation and Performance

U.S. News and World Report ranks hospitals based on patient experience reviews and the number of ranked specializations [1]. They list Stroger Jr. Hospital as high-performing in five health procedures and conditions, including heart attack and heart failure. However, the hospital received average ratings for other care types, including diabetes care and orthopedics.

According to patient experience, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County received a two out of five-star rating.

The Cook County Hospital received three stars for overall satisfaction, patient willingness to recommend, and doctor communication. The hospital received a one-star rating for nurse communication. Patients also report being dissatisfied with the quality of discharge information and staff responsiveness.

Notable Legal Actions Against John H. Stroger Jr. Cook County Hospital

Lawsuits against the Cook County Health Department can provide more information about the quality of care available. Here are a few notable legal actions and their outcomes.

Failure to Monitor Fetal Wellbeing

In the wrongful death lawsuit Newman v. Stroger Jr. Hospital, the plaintiff claimed that the hospital staff failed to monitor her unborn child’s heartbeat following a car accident, which led to delayed delivery and, ultimately, his death. The hospital agreed to settle the case for $6.75 million [2].

Failure to Monitor Condition During Surgical Procedure

In Francique v. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, the plaintiff’s Chicago brain injury attorneys alleged that the hospital failed to monitor her son’s heart during a surgical procedure, which ultimately led to brain damage. The hospital agreed to settle the case for $20M [3].

Inspection and Deficiency Reports at Cook County Health – John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital

Hospital inspections provide additional performance information. According to the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care, 65% of patients would recommend the facility to others [4].

This recommendation is based on patient feedback. The hospital received lower ratings for discharge information, cleanliness of rooms, and quietness of the hospital than when compared to state and national averages.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also issues hospital ratings. John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County received two stars overall and for patient survey ratings [5].

The Cook County Hospital reported that 6% of patients left the emergency room (ER) before receiving treatment, higher than the state average of 5% and the national average of 3%.

Patients also wait much longer than average to receive emergency medical care at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital compared to similar, high-volume medical facilities.

Patients wait 294 minutes to receive emergency medical care at the Cook County John Stroger Hospital, much longer than the state average of 237 minutes and the national average of 197 minutes for other high-volume centers.

Understanding Medical Negligence and Your Rights

Medical negligence occurs when a trained medical professional fails to meet the minimum standard of care. Failure to exercise this duty can worsen the patient’s condition or lead to death.

Negligence may include the following:

• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: When a medical professional fails to establish or delays diagnosis, they may be liable.
• Improper Treatment: Choosing the wrong treatment care for a patient can lead to additional symptoms and a prolonged condition.
• Failure to monitor Condition: Staff are expected to monitor patients’ vitals; when they don’t, they may be held liable.
• Surgical Errors: Medical mistakes can also occur during surgical procedures, leading to negative outcomes. These could include wrong surgery sites or tools left behind.
• Childbirth Errors: Patients deserve quality services during labor or delivery, which includes continued care until both are discharged.
• Medication Mistakes: Medication errors can lead to additional problems and may be considered negligent.
• Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Failing to receive informed consent could be considered negligent. Patients deserve to have things explained.
• Neglect: Neglect could be medical negligence, including failing to offer access to services or timely treatment.

Medical professionals who fail to meet the minimum standard of care may be liable for the costs of any injuries sustained. Patients who were victims of medical negligence should consider seeking legal counsel.

A Chicago medical malpractice and negligence attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help patients seek compensation for damages like lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. An experienced attorney has the negotiation and trial experience necessary to seek a fair settlement from Chicago hospitals.

Our legal team helps hold negligent doctors and nurses accountable through case investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, and trial representation.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

If John H Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County failed to provide you or your family member with quality services, you may be eligible for a lawsuit. Our Chicago-based personal injury attorneys have successfully negotiated fair settlements in medical malpractice lawsuits against local hospitals.

When you choose us to represent your case, there is no risk. Our clients do not pay any upfront fees unless we recover compensation on their behalf.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation, or fill out our online form.

Resources: [1] U.S. World News and Report, [2] Chicago Tribune, [3] CBS News, [4] Illinois Hospital Report Card, [5] Medicare

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.