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OAK PARK, Ill. - West Suburban Medical Center is resuming hospital-based clinic and testing services, marking the first step in a gradual reopening of the facility.
Hospital officials said patients are being contacted by phone and email to schedule appointments as outpatient care ramps up, beginning with primary care and expanding to specialty visits and testing services.
Staff members are also returning from furlough in phases, with additional employees expected to return as patient demand increases.
What they're saying:
"Getting the clinic back open and getting patients scheduled is our first priority," Resilience Healthcare CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad said in a statement. "We are slowly bringing staff back and rebuilding operations step by step."
The hospital said the outpatient services are being funded through revenue recovered as part of an ongoing billing remediation effort. More than 100 workers are continuing to process over 120,000 outstanding claims.
Emergency room and inpatient services remain suspended, though leadership said planning is underway for a full restoration of operations.
What they're saying:
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, issued the following statement on West Suburban Medical Center resuming some services.
"I lack confidence in the current situation. While I hope to see some services resume for patients, the evolving circumstances necessitate clear and responsible oversight from the state. Patient safety is paramount, and any reopening should involve appropriate agencies, including the Illinois Department of Public Health. It is crucial that this process be a community-led effort, ensuring that the voices and needs of our patients and community members are prioritized as we work together toward a safe and effective reopening.
"We need to make sure that the state has authorized Resilience Health and Dr. Manoj Prasad to reopen West Suburban Medical Center, and that there is a clear operational plan and assurance that all safety and operational procedures are in place to ensure compliance with state regulatory requirements and patient safety standards. Patient safety is the priority.
"I remain hopeful that West Suburban Medical Center can pursue a stable, sustainable and permanent path forward that puts our patients and community first."
Dig deeper:
Separately, the hospital filed a complaint in Cook County court on Tuesday seeking a declaratory judgment in response to eviction notices issued by landlord Prasad Patlola’s company, Ramco.
The filing argues the lease agreement does not allow for unilateral termination and accuses the landlord of failing to maintain the property, contributing to facility issues cited in inspections.
The Source: The information in this report came from officials from the West Suburban Medical Center.