Northwest Community Hospital Malpractice & Violations

Illinois residents deserve easy access to medical care services that treat common conditions, whether visiting a hospital or health care center. Hospital performance includes patient care ratings, safety protocols, quality measurements, and adherence to healthcare standards.

A healthcare center may be financially liable when it fails to provide industry-standard care. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help the Arlington Heights community hold negligent healthcare practitioners liable through legal representation.

About Northwest Community Hospital

Overview

Northwest Community Hospital is at 800 W. Central Rd, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005. It has 509 beds, 200 of which are private at the South Pavilion. There is also a 33-bed acute rehabilitation unit and seven outpatient rehabilitation centers.

The facility was founded in the 1950s by local citizens. City volunteers wanted a central hospital near their home, so they conducted fundraising efforts and renovated an old farmhouse to create a 110-bed medical center.

It was locally owned until 2021, when NorthShore University HealthSystem acquired it. The acquisition expanded the medical facility to offer more patient rooms, a trauma center, and a pediatric-focused department. The expansion also added a wellness center, fitness center, spa, and on-site pharmacy.

Today, it offers a full range of medical services, with specialties in cardiovascular, orthopedics, primary care, neuroscience, and oncology. Whether preparing for a new baby, undergoing a procedure, or seeking primary care services, the facility offers it all. It also provides single-room options.

This healthcare center offers specializations and various programs to meet multiple healthcare needs. It aims to address the needs of infants, children, adults, and geriatrics through comprehensive services and programs.

The hospital has earned a few awards, including a Magnet-recognized award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and a Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).

Ownership and Affiliations

Northwest Hospital is owned by Endeavor Health, a management organization with nine hospitals and over 300 medical offices. Endeavor Health also includes the NorthShore University Health System, Swedish Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, and NCH, which have over 27,000 employees and five clinical institutes.

Reputation and Performance

Patients give the facility a three-star rating, which covers categories like overall satisfaction, willingness to recommend, doctor communication, and staff efforts to prevent harm [1]. Actual ratings vary for each medical program, ranging from average to high-performing categories.

Notable Legal Actions Against Northwest Community Hospital

Lawsuits can reveal the quality of care available at a specific healthcare center. Here are a few lawsuits involving this facility.

Failure to Prevent Injury During Surgical Procedure

In Stelzer v. Nw. Cmty. Hosp. Stelzer alleged it failed to monitor and prevent injury during heart surgery. The defendant avoided liability, claiming the patient agreed to care under an independent contractor when he signed a consent form in 2013 when the medical procedures took place [2].

Failure to Monitor Drug Interactions

In the 2006 case of Schroeder v. Northwest Community Hospital, the patient was given medication to treat one condition despite its interactions with other conditions. The judge ultimately ruled, based on expert witnesses called by Chicago medication error attorney , that the prescribing physician didn’t follow standard care protocols [3].

Failure to Warn Patients of Risk and Safely Use Equipment

In Karavos vs. NCH, the plaintiff alleged the medical facility and its staff failed to properly train surgeons on equipment safety and warn the patient of the procedure’s risks in 2013. The 2015 case was initially dismissed due to poor legal representation but was renewed in 2022 [4].

Physician, surgeon, nurse, or administrator errors can lead to a lawsuit. Northwest Hospital has been at the center of various lawsuits. If you believe a medical mistake may have worsened your injury, it’s essential to contact a lawyer.

Inspection and Deficiency Reports

Inspection and deficiency reports provide patients and their families with helpful information about a healthcare company. Here are a few reports found on NCH.

The Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to HealthCare reports that 65% of patients would recommend the facility to others [5]. This rating is lower than the state and national averages.

Many people report low ratings based on the information given, a lack of cleanliness in rooms, staff failing to involve patients in their care, and not discussing medication use. The facility was rated much lower than state and national averages across many categories.

Medicare also rates hospitals and gives Northwest Community an overall four-star rating. However, patient survey ratings provide a two-star rating. Low ratings cover long emergency department volumes and waits [6]. Previous visitors also reported low satisfaction related to room comfort and cleanliness. These reports come from previous NCH patients.

Understanding Medical Negligence and Your Rights

Medical negligence is when a healthcare center fails to offer industry-expected care to patients. Medical malpractice can lead to a worsening of symptoms, failure or delayed treatment, or even a loss of life. A loss of life can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit.

Medical negligence may include any of the following:

• Surgical Errors: Surgeon or assistant staff errors may be considered medical negligence.
• Medication Errors: Good patient care includes monitoring medications for potential interactions or side effects. A doctor should address errors promptly.
• Failure to Diagnose: When a physician fails to diagnose, patient symptoms can worsen, it may take longer for them to receive the treatment services needed, or they may lose their life.
• Improper Care: Any deviation from expected medical assistance can be considered medical malpractice.

Proving medical negligence can be difficult, especially against a healthcare organization’s larger legal support services. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers expert legal services to those wrongfully harmed by healthcare services in Arlington Heights.

When you choose to work with a Chicago personal injury attorney from our team, you can access a team of compassionate, committed lawyers. We work closely with you to investigate your case and prove negligence. Our experienced negotiators help you and your family receive the best settlement offer possible.

While many medical malpractice cases are settled outside of court, this may not make sense for your specific case. Our trial lawyers are well-versed in representing your best interests in court. We’re here to help you choose the best option with the highest payout. Our team also works closely with expert witnesses to ensure a strong case.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

A healthcare service facility visit should lead to experienced medical support and treatment. However, negligent care and training can put patients at risk. If you or your loved one were the victim of negligent services at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, IL, it may be worth discussing your case with a medical malpractice attorney.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a Chicago-based firm that proudly serves clients across Illinois and select cases nationwide. Our Chicago medical malpractice attorney team is here to help you navigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our team is committed to providing exceptional legal representation to victims and their families. We offer comprehensive legal services for a contingency fee. This means you don’t pay anything unless our team wins your case. We’ll also take the time to calculate the value of your case, ensuring a fair settlement that covers your damages.

The first step to recovering compensation in a medical malpractice case is to contact our law firm. Call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers at (888) 424-5757 or fill our our contact form. We offer 24/7 consultation, so feel free to use this number any day, week, or convenient time for you.

Resources: [1] U.S. News & World Report, [2] Casetext, [3] FindLaw, [4] IL Court Audio, [5] Illinois Hospital Report Card, [6] 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.