Evanston Hospital: Free Healthcare Or Paid Services?

NorthShore University HealthSystem, formerly Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH), is a healthcare delivery system headquartered in Evanston, Illinois. It encompasses six hospitals, including Evanston Hospital, and employs more than 10,000 people. While there is no information on whether Northshore Evanston Hospital provides free healthcare, it has received awards for excellence in patient safety and clinical outcomes, indicating that it delivers superior quality care.

Patient safety and experience

NorthShore University HealthSystem, formerly Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH), is a healthcare delivery system serving patients across the Chicago metropolitan area. The Healthgrades awards recognise hospitals for delivering superior-quality care, and Evanston Hospital has received the America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™, Patient Safety Excellence Award™, and America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award™.

The hospital has been recognised for its superior clinical outcomes in colorectal surgeries, gallbladder removal, upper gastrointestinal surgery, and treating bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeds, and pancreatitis. Evanston Hospital also received the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery Award™ in 2024.

Patient experience measures are based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These surveys help determine how patients felt about the care they received. Patient safety and experience are also evaluated through objective quality measures, including clinical outcomes and patient safety. Evanston Hospital has been recognised for its excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications.

The NorthShore University HealthSystem includes six hospitals, over 70 offices, and its Research Institute and Foundation. The Research Institute serves more than 1,000 research projects and has a focus on translational and clinical research. The health system employs more than 10,000 people and has a teaching affiliation with the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

Clinical outcomes

NorthShore University HealthSystem, formerly Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH), is a healthcare delivery system serving patients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. It was founded as Evanston Hospital in 1891 during an outbreak of typhoid fever and has since expanded to encompass six hospitals: Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park, Skokie, Swedish, and Northwest Community.

NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital has been recognised for its superior clinical outcomes in several areas, including:

• Colorectal surgeries
• Gallbladder removal
• Upper gastrointestinal surgery
• Treating bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeds, and pancreatitis
• Pulmonary care

The hospital has received several awards in the past two years, including America's 250 Best Hospitals Award, the Patient Safety Excellence Award, and America's 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award. These awards recognise the hospital's commitment to providing superior quality care and patient safety, as well as excellent clinical outcomes.

The NorthShore Research Institute, established in 1996, serves more than 1,000 research projects and has a particular focus on clinical and translational research. This includes leadership in outcomes research and clinical trials. The institute has approximately 125,000 net square feet of research space and is ranked 9th among multi-specialty independent research hospitals in the country in terms of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In addition to its research capabilities, NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital also prioritises patient experience. Patient experience measures are based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data, which provides insights into how patients felt about the care they received. This information, along with clinical outcomes and patient safety data, is used to evaluate hospital performance and identify areas for improvement.

Awards and recognition

NorthShore University HealthSystem, which includes Evanston Hospital, is a not-for-profit healthcare system that has a commitment to providing care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. While it does not explicitly offer 'free' healthcare, it does provide financial assistance and charity care programs for those who need help paying for their medical expenses. These programs are designed to ensure that patients can access the care they need without facing financial hardship. Here is a brief overview of the awards and recognition that Evanston Hospital has received over the years:

Evanston Hospital, as part of the NorthShore University HealthSystem, has an outstanding reputation for medical excellence and has garnered widespread recognition for its commitment to patient care, innovation, and community service:

• National Recognition for Quality and Safety: Evanston Hospital has consistently received high rankings and accreditations for its commitment to patient safety and quality care. It has been recognized by the Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, as a top hospital for patient safety. Additionally, it has been accredited by the Joint Commission, a nonprofit that certifies healthcare organizations, further underscoring its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of care.
• Clinical Excellence and Innovation: The hospital is renowned for its clinical expertise across a range of specialties. It has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America," acknowledging its outstanding healthcare services and contributions to the field. Evanston Hospital has also been at the forefront of innovation, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and treatments to enhance patient outcomes. This includes advancements in robotic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and precision medicine initiatives.
• Leadership in Community Health: Evanston Hospital has demonstrated a strong commitment to community health and outreach. It has received awards and recognition for its community engagement initiatives, including the Illinois Performance Excellence Gold Award for Performance Excellence in Community Health. The hospital offers various programs and services designed to improve access to care, promote health equity, and address the specific needs of the communities it serves. These efforts reflect Evanston Hospital's dedication to not just treating patients but also improving the overall health and well-being of the community.
• Outstanding Patient Experience: Providing a positive patient experience is a key focus for Evanston Hospital, and it has been recognized for its success in this area. Press Ganey, a leading patient experience company, has awarded Evanston Hospital with various accolades, including the Guardian of Excellence Award for Patient Experience. This recognition is a testament to the hospital's commitment to patient-centered care, ensuring that patients and their families are actively involved in the care process and receive personalized, compassionate attention.
• Research and Academic Contributions: As a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Chicago, Evanston Hospital plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge through research and education. It has been recognized for its contributions to clinical research, with numerous grants and awards supporting investigations into a range of health conditions. Additionally, the hospital's affiliation with the university enhances its academic standing, providing opportunities for medical students, residents, and fellows to receive exceptional clinical training.

These awards and recognitions highlight Evanston Hospital's comprehensive approach to healthcare excellence, encompassing clinical expertise, innovation, community engagement, and patient-centered care. They reflect the dedication and hard work of the hospital's staff, physicians, and leadership, who strive to continuously improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve.

Research and funding

NorthShore University HealthSystem, formerly Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH), is a healthcare delivery system serving the Chicago metropolitan area. As of 2021, NorthShore encompasses six hospitals, including Evanston Hospital, and its Research Institute and Foundation. The health system employs more than 10,000 people and has a teaching affiliation with the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

The NorthShore Research Institute, established in 1996, serves more than 1,000 research projects and has more than 150 externally funded research faculty. The priority areas for research are medical genetics, cancer, neurosciences, advanced imaging research, cardiovascular, peri-neonatal, and outcomes research. The Research Institute has approximately 125,000 square feet of research space, including a collaborative building with Northwestern University on its Evanston Campus called the Arthur and Gladys Pancoe-NorthShore University HealthSystem Life Sciences Pavilion.

NorthShore has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has placed the hospitals of NorthShore University HealthSystem at number nine among multi-specialty independent research hospitals in the country. The NorthShore Foundation seeks philanthropic support to ensure the health system can continue to provide superior patient care, conduct innovative research, and train the next generation of physicians.

The Evanston Hospital campus emphasises translational and clinical research, allowing discoveries from basic sciences and engineering to be brought to patient care. Evanston Hospital has been recognised for its superior quality care and patient safety, receiving awards such as America's 250 Best Hospitals Award and America's 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award.

Employment and lawsuits

On November 17, 2008, a group of patients and unionized employees filed a lawsuit against Endeavor Health (formerly NorthShore University HealthSystem) in the U.S. District Court in Chicago. The lawsuit alleged that NorthShore used its near-monopoly on local hospitals to hike prices. As the legal proceedings were ongoing, NorthShore continued its expansion, further strengthening its monopoly.

Finally, on December 13, 2023, the two parties reached a settlement agreement. The settlement covers all patients who received any form of inpatient care at Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, or Highland Park Hospital between February 10, 2000, and December 31, 2015. Those who used Medicaid or Medicare, didn't have insurance, or didn't pay their bills are ineligible for the settlement.

The settlement has set aside $55 million to pay off the claims, with a minimum of $5.475 million allocated for legal expenses. While the settlement has been described on social media as primarily benefiting women who gave birth at NorthShore, it applies to all patients who received inpatient care. The amount each claimant receives will depend on the total number of claims submitted. Patients have until April 4 to submit their claims online or by mail.

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