Heart disease is reportedly the number one killer of American adults. An estimated 80 million people across the United States currently suffer from the disease. A number of the nation’s leading cardiologists reportedly believe that many heart disease patients are given too many prescription medications. In addition, some evidence allegedly…
Four potential medical negligence settlements could cost Cook County taxpayers about $24 million. In the first case, a civil lawsuit filed in a Cook County court alleges that a three-year-old boy sustained extreme brain damage as a result of an elective outpatient surgery performed at Stroger Hospital in December 2011.…
According to researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), physicians and other medical professionals who use standard written safety checklists when responding to surgical crises have better outcomes than those who do not. In fact, doctors are reportedly 75 percent more likely to ensure that all necessary…
Due to a reported $9.6 million budget shortfall, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation recently laid off 18 of the organization’s 26 medical investigators and regulatory staff. According to department officials, the move will have a dramatic effect on medical licensing and physician disciplinary matters throughout Illinois. Organization…
A study recently published in the journal Surgery claims that at least 4,000 preventable surgical mistakes occur in the United States every year. Such mistakes are generally referred to as “never events” because they are the sort of hospital or physician errors that should never occur. Examples of preventable mistakes…
The estate of a Blue Island 17-year-old who died in February 2011 following an allegedly routine root canal surgery has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against the Chicago-based dental chain where he was treated. The teenager reportedly sought treatment at a Dental Dreams office in…
A nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis has infected more than 400 patients and killed at least 29 people. The rare disease was reportedly transmitted to patients who received contaminated steroid injections manufactured by the New England Compounding Center (NECC), a Framingham, Massachusetts pharmacy. Patients in 19 states have allegedly contracted…
An Illinois medical malpractice lawsuit has been filed against North Suburban Glenbrook Hospital, according to the Lake County News-Sun. The lawsuit was filed by the family a 56-year-old lake Forest man who died while a patient at the hospital in Glenview, Illinois. The patient developed an infection in his hip…
A Chicago nurse was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday on charges that he sexually assaulted a patient at a North Side hospital, according to NewsRadio 780. The Chicago sex abuse case reportedly occurred at Weiss Memorial Hospital in February. The 48-year-old accused nurse, who lives on North Kostner Avenue…
In Winnebago County, Illinois a woman stepping on a toothpick has resulted in a $250,000 medical malpractice settlement, according to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. The woman reportedly stepped on a used toothpick at home and then sought out medical treatment from a doctor. The defendant doctor failed to identify…