Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Ratings & Violations

Northwestern Medicine Valley West Community Hospital is a 25-bed “not-for-profit” medical center providing services and cares for residents of Sandwich and DeKalb County, Illinois The Center is located at:

11 E. Pleasant Ave.
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-8484

http://www.kishhealth.org/

The critical access short-term community facility provides numerous medical services that include:

• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Cardiology
• Heart health
• Emergency services
• Orthopedics
• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Pediatrics
• Surgical services
• Respiratory therapy
• Maternity

National Rankings

In comparison rankings with all other hospitals and medical centers in the U.S., Northwestern Medicine Valley West Community Hospital maintains an overall “B+" score, ranking it in the 67^th percentile, according to Analytics MD. The ranking is determined by publicly available data that includes incoming and discharge patient flow, satisfaction rates and on-site complications, including infection rates and unexpected death rates. A lower percentile comparison factor might indicate potential medical malpractice problems.

While the patient discharge flow (59^th percentile), incoming patient flow (52^nd percentile), and frustrated patients (52 ^nd percentile) are above the norm, the hospital admitted patient flow, measuring the efficiency of sick or patients being admitted and treated falls well below the average at the 40^th percentile.

Illinois State Designations

The Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital maintains two specific state designations including:

• Perinatal II – A level II perinatal hospital provides extended neonatal care for pregnant women and a higher level of complex newborn care. This hospital treats pregnant women and their young children with medical complications. However, there is no neonatal intensive care nursery on-site.

The hospital is part of the Illinois regionalized perinatal system that was developed to enhance perinatal outcomes for childbearing high-risk women, along with their fetus/newborn. The facility provides high-risk medical services facilitated by highly trained hospital staff in their perinatal center.

• Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) – For two decades, the state of Illinois has recognized specific hospitals in local communities that provide essential resources for injured and seriously ill children. These facilities, including Valley West Community Hospital, deliver critical emergency care by trained professionals who specialize in critical and emergency pediatric care.

In addition to a professional staff, the facility maintains on-site provisions and adequate staffing for backup support in pediatric consultation. Protocols are followed for treatment for abused children, injured children and those who are critically ill. The hospital also maintains on-site pediatric equipment, medication, and supplies.

Inpatient Mortality Rates

The state of Illinois and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) maintain hospital and inpatient quality indicating data. The information is used to determine short-term mortality rates. Currently, Northwestern Medicine Valley West Community Hospital's inpatient mortality rates for 2014-2017 include:

• Pneumonia Mortality Rate – 15%. This number is significantly lower than the Illinois state average of 23.48 per thousand patients.
• Cognitive Heart Failure Mortality Rate – 13.2%. This number is significantly better than the state’s average of 20.74 per 1000 patients.

Filing a Claim for Medical Malpractice

Patients suffering harm are successful at resolving medical malpractice compensation claims when it can be proved that a medical professional (doctor, nurse, medical worker, Hospital or Medical Center) failed to competently perform their medical duties, leading to harm or unexpected death of the victim.

However, medical malpractice claims are complicated, and often require the skills of a reputable personal injury attorney. The lawyer must prove four specific factors that include:

• A relationship existed between the doctor and patient where the doctor provided or failed to provide a level of care.
• The action of the doctor/nurse/medical worker/hospital was negligent and that negligence can be proven in a court of law by medical experts.
• The negligent action by the medical professional/facility directly caused the injury.
• The victim/patient can prove there is specific damages or an injury that could include physical pain, emotional trauma, mental anguish, lost wages or associated medical bills.

Failing to file the necessary paperwork in a timely manner could invalidate a medical malpractice claim, based on the Illinois statute of limitations. Because of that, the attorney will quickly evaluate the merit of the claim, determine all responsible parties whose negligent actions or inaction directly caused damages and then notify all potential defendants in the case. After building a claim for compensation, the attorney will file the initiating paperwork in the appropriate County Courthouse. In DeKalb County, that location is:

DeKalb County Circuit Court

133 W. State Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 895-7131
Circuit Court Clerk Maureen Josh

Sample Medical Malpractice Claims Involving Valley West Hospital

Accident in Routine Surgery Leads to Burn and New Illinois Claim

The injured patient in this recent health care dust up was just seven years old when the events occurred. She had to get her tonsils out. Doctors recommended and performed an adenoidectomy as well as a tonsillectomy at Valley West Community Hospital. However, it did not go well. She was burned when an exposed piece of the metal cautery rim touched the side of her mouth. This caused obvious immediate aggravation as well as potential long-term health implications. Therefore, with the support of counsel, the young girl brought a claim against the parties involved such as the doctor, medical company, and facility. The cause of action seeks reimbursement for medical bills, suffering, and similar harms that the surgical error caused her. The outcome of this dispute has not been resolved.

$15,350,000 Settlement; Illinois Birth Injury Malpractice Claim

Here, the doctor under the magnifier had a prior dispute related to birth injuries. The plaintiff alleged that the hospital (Valley West) knew about that but did not take steps to prevent him from similarly harming her and her newborn son. Apparently, that physician used an extractor during the delivery of the child several times over an hour. It took another doctor to come in and eventually order up a C-section. However, in the course of these events, the little boy suffered a sizeable brain injury which developed into cerebral palsy and other problems. The mother eventually filed a lawsuit on their behalf against the hospital, doctor, and other relevant parties. She alleged their service, care, and monitoring was negligent and the source of the boy’s harms. The facts that the hospital knew about the doctor’s checkered past and took no action then he went out and did something similar to the plaintiffs meant there was little to argue. Eventually, the parties got down to settling and the family ended up getting $15.35 million-the vast majority of that came from the hospital.

Surgical Error Causes Complications for Patient

A couple brought this claim in Illinois after the woman entered Valley West for treatment related to plantar fasciitis. Surgeons performed a bone graft, recession, tibia repair, ablation, and other procedures. However, it seems that along the way they may have made a mistake. The pair is alleging that attending staff caused her nerve damage which developed into chronic pain. It is not exactly clear how or where this happened across the various operations. However, the couple claim that these complications arose directly after she had them done. They are listing the hospital, doctors, and medical businesses involved as responsible. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for her injuries, long-term pain, bills, related expenses as well as the man’s lost consortium. A resolution of this matter has not yet been determined.

Sandwich Illinois Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of neglect or mistreatment while a patient at Northwestern Medicine Valley Midwest Community Hospital, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC today. Allow our reputable sandwich attorneys to handle every aspect of your recompense claim against every entity, individual or medical practitioner who caused your loved one harm. Our years of experience in handling medical malpractice cases can ensure a successful resolution of your claim.

Contact our DeKalb County medical malpractice law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule your free, no-obligation comprehensive case evaluation. No upfront fees are necessary because our law firm accepts every wrongful death lawsuit, personal injury claim and medical malpractice case on contingency.

Sources:

• Website
• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital