When you are deciding on a hospital, you want to make sure that you are getting the best possible care. To help you make an informed decision, we have gathered information on Advocate Christ Medical Center’s violations and ratings as part of a series on hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area.
How Hospital Ratings Help You
U.S. News and World Report is a leading source of information on hospitals. They rate hospitals based on their performance in various categories, including: performance in areas of specialty medicine, overall performance, health equity, and patient satisfaction.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also rates hospitals. They inspect hospitals for compliance with state and federal regulations. If they find violations, they can impose fines or other penalties.
An Overview of Advocate Christ Medical Center
Advocate Christ Medical Center is a 788-bed teaching hospital. Its main campus in Oak Lawn, IL features a Level I Trauma Center in its emergency room. It is affiliated with Advocate Aurora Health and handles both primary care as well as patients with acute and chronic injuries and conditions. It was founded in 1960, and its current campus was substantially updated in 2016.
Its contact information is:
Advocate Christ Medical Center
4440 W. 95th St.
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
U.S. News & World Report Rankings for Advocate Christ Medical Center
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Advocate Christ Medical Center is nationally ranked by U.S. News in 2 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty. It is also rated high performing in 7 adult specialties and 15 procedures and conditions. This hospital is a general medical and surgical facility as well as a teaching hospital. It is rated 3 out of 5 stars for patient experience. The U.S. News evaluation of Advocate Christ Medical Center also includes data from Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital.
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National Ranking: in 2 adult specialties and 1 children’s specialty
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Illinois Ranking: 5
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Illinois Ranking (Children’s): 3
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Chicago Ranking: 5
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Midwest Ranking (Children’s): 21
IDPH Report Card for Hospitals
The IDPH ranks hospitals and medical centers throughout Illinois based on performance in the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care site. With the information on this site, patients can not only compare hospital quality of care, but they can learn about it as well. Specifically, you can research:
Illinois Designations
CDC Infection Data
Under the Hospital Report Card Act, hospitals must track and report infections of a certain type to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). These infections include:
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surgical site infections (SSIs)
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central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs)
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections
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Clostridium difficile infections
The CDC identified the following infections detected at Advocate Christ:
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Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (2019): 27
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Surgical Site Infections (2019): 10
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Antibacterial-Resistant Bloodstream Infections (2019): 72
Illinois Department of Public Health Patient Safety Info
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Advocate Christ performs statistically significantly worse than the state average for postoperative lung embolism or deep vein thrombosis (clotting), postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma, postoperative respiratory failure, postoperative sepsis, and congestive heart failure mortality rate.
One percent of patients who developed a blood clot while in the hospital did not get treatment that could have prevented it.
Medical Malpractice Recoveries Against Advocate Christ Medical Center
When determining the quality of care a patient will receive at a hospital, another key factor to look at is how many alleged medical malpractice claims have been brought against a hospital. Advocate Christ Medical Center has compensated victims of medical malpractice. Records show several notable settlements and verdicts.
Example Recoveries
Here are some examples:
$12 million for the family of a newborn patient who suffered severe brain damage when her blood oxygen levels plummeted during routine surgery.
$4.5 million for a patient’s family for a radiology error when the hospital missed warning signs in the patient’s CT scans. The patient’s bladder ruptured, causing fatal sepsis.
$4.645 million for a patient who was blinded during routine eye surgery.
$5.072 million for improperly administering medications to a baby, causing baby to go into cardiac arrest and die.
What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice
If you have experienced something similar while under the care of Advocate Christ Medical Center or any other hospital, you should speak with a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your legal options. The Kryder Law Group, LLC has successfully represented many clients who have been victims of medical negligence, and we may be able to help you as well. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How to Find Out if Your Advocate Christ Medical Center Doctor Has Been Disciplined
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) maintains a database of doctors and healthcare professionals licensed in the state. You may search for licensing details about Illinois physicians and healthcare specialists on this site.
Step By Step Instructions
Search for information by:
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Going to the IDFPR license search
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Select “Medical Board” under the License Type dropdown menu
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Enter your doctor’s first and last name
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Press “Detail” button next to your doctor’s name to see details
Types of Disciplinary Actions You May Find
If your doctor has had disciplinary action taken against them, it will appear under the Disciplinary Actions section. There are many different types of disciplinary action that may appear: a reprimand; probation; suspension; summary or temporary suspension; revocation; refuse to renew; relinquished, surrendered, or permanent inactive; or fines.
Other Resources
You can also visit the American Board of Medical Specialties online to verify the certification of your doctor.
What to Do If You Suspect Medical Malpractice
If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Your Time to Pursue Compensation Is Limited by the Illinois Statute of Limitations
Illinois law (735 ILCS §5/13-212(a)),requires that a medical malpractice claim be filed within two years of the date of the injury or the date when the injury was discovered. There are some exceptions to this rule, so it is important to discuss your case with an attorney to determine whether you are still within the statute of limitations.
Get Help Today
The Kryder Law Group, LLC has represented many clients who have been victims of medical negligence, and we may be able to help you as well. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will review your case and determine the best course of action. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and we will fight to get you the justice you deserve.