NorthShore University HealthSystem Skokie Hospital

In January 2016, Dr. Puri of North Shore Orthopedics replaced my left hip due to advanced osteoarthritis. I’ve never had a better hospital experience than at North Shore Hospital in Skokie (5 times at other facilities, twice for orthopedic procedures). Visiting friends and family were also very impressed.
The facility is top notch, with newly renovated, all-​single rooms with private bath. Each room even includes a fold-​out bed for guests who wish to stay overnight. And the staff were amazing. There was a bit of a wait for a room while in recovery, but the recovery nurses made sure that I was comfortable, including getting me lunch, and kept my sister informed in the waiting room. The day after surgery, BOTH of them came up to my room to see how I was doing!
The floor nurses were very kind and solicitous, too. A day nurse introduced me to the night nurses each evening. They were careful to let me actually get some sleep, even asking whether I wanted them to check to see if I needed additional medication every 4 hours or to wait until I called for it. I chose the latter, and, except for having vitals taken, I got to sleep through the night. (In a HOSPITAL. Who’s ever heard of such a thing?!)
After I was home, management followed up on the phone and via questionnaire to see what my experiences had been. Except for the TV remote control, I couldn’t think of anything that needed improvement!

My Daughter and parents went to two Hospitals and they couldn’t find the right medicines for her until we saw Doctor Charles Wang MD video on the north shore web site ,
and we love every thing about him that we schedule appointment with him right
away to make story short he is a blessing to us now we live a normal live with no seizures
DR Charles WANG was the only one that told us that my Daughter can live a normal live
after we were bond in the house for 8 years in a roll Thank you North Shore Hospital for having an out standing Doctor This hospital rates more than a five star because now we have
our life back.
Swanson Family.

We had a motor vehicle accident. I was under-​triaged and had a four hour delay from arrival to seeing the PA. Thankfully, no impact on my outcome, but the PA and MD were both concerned someone with a brain injury wasn’t moved further up the queue. One major difference between this hospital and others is the lack of «soft skills». No ‘here’s your nurse call, expect to see _​_​in about _​_​, anything else you need right now?’ Now does that impact the quality of care? No, but it makes an anxious time worse and makes you feel like a cog in the wheel, not a patient or person.

I really think they need to improve there NP/​PA staff. I had my mother there for a week, while in the unit she received great care, but once on the floor it becomes a different story. Why would you have a patient getting tube feedings, then have her lying flat with a full stomach. Or when you question the PA about the transfer orders to make sure everything is written down for the nursing home, and she takes it as a insult, you know at that point your dealing with somebodies ego, and of course, when you get to the nursing home, she messed up the orders. But the best is when the NP/​PA in the ER states we can’t admit her because she is not complaining of any pain, But she can’t complain because she can’t speak, you know your dealing with somebody fresh out of school with know common sense

I have not been hospitalized at Skokie but I have seen several doctors and had other services here. The radiology dept is great, CT and MRI techs are very compassionate and they explain everything. Even though I am a nurse they still explained everything, never assuming I knew it all!
I had PT services at Skokie this spring. Outpatient PT was amazing. My PT was excellent, addressed all of my pain. Wish I could have worked a little longer to get my strength back but that’s all the insurance covered.
Last, the pain clinic is excellent. Dr Beckerman, Blum and Barkin are an amazing team. They know what they are doing and are very creative in trying to manage your pain while keeping your concerns in mind. Dr. Gan, a rheumatologist is an angel. He figured out exactly why I wasn’t healing well post surgically, diagnosing me with a genetic disorder that no one else caught and literally turned a horrible 2 years completely around for me!
Overall the hospital and ambulatory services have come a long way since Rush NorthShore and I do recommend it. It has made strides in the last few years and is now making Lutheran General and its other competitors seem second rate!

Looking at the other reviews, it’s apparent that the experiences are very polarizing. You either were very satisfied or very dissatisfied. As for me, everything went well — from the diagnosis, operation, prognosis, Physical therapy, billing, post operation appointments — yes everything. And yes, I even enjoyed the food — I liked checking the boxes for my food choices and I felt like I was in control. I also enjoyed the company from the doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, head surgeon, X-​ray folks, transporters, receptionists — I guess everyone. My only comment would be to have larger flat screen TVs. In closing, this was a 10 star experience for me.

I recently was in the hospital for surgery. I had not been at Rush since the 1980’s when my kids were born! I was a bit apprehensive about going to an unfamiliar place after all these years let alone the feeling one gets when one is about to have out-​patient surgery or any surgery!
My heart and soul of gratitude goes out to these outstanding individuals that made my day long stay much more bearable… Dr. E. Fisher, nurses on the Ambulatory Surgical Team, and everyone on that floor that day in May!
The nurse’s are: ARACELI (ACE!), post-​op nurse, DEBBIE, pre-​op nurse, JOYCE, LILY, MARY JO, KAREN, and again my wonderful surgeon, DR. FISHER!!!
YOU ALL ARE OUTSTANDING IN YOUR FIELD!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH GREAT CARE!!!

My dad has been here often in the past few years. It’s not the best, but it’s close to his home. I would consider it for a planned procedure, but not for an emergency situation. The staff seems to try, but the care is very disorganized.

I use to like this hospital but I was very disappointed the last time i went. I went to the emergency room for a problem. The nurses were joking around laughing loud, they were very rude. I even told the doctor and nurse that it seem that I also had flu syptoms. All they said was take tylenol and two days have passed that I had the flu so I will be better the next day. That was a lie I was taken to the emergency room on Saturday to another hospital.

My dad drove himself to this ER, and when I went to see if I can assist since he speaks minimal English I was more than shocked to find out that not 1 doctor came by to see him yet and it was already 4 hours. I went around to where the doctors and nurses station only to see a group of them chit chatting, and gossiping and laughing. I finally got the nurse in charge of my dad and explained that my dad was in extreme pain, and where was the doctor in charge. Finally after another 45 minutes Dr. Lee stops by, but not before another 5 minute chit chat with another Dr. about skincare product, and how wonder the product was. She (Dr Lee) finally steps into the room and goes on and 9n about how she is Korean and she understands korean but can’t speak it well. Out of my frustration I told her that I really don’t care if she can speak her native language or not, and I want a briefing on my dad’s condition! Of course she had no information on my dad’s condition. These ER Dr. are the worst in patient care or sympathy for their patients pain and suffering!

Had a routine female exam done with a pap smear at Northshore University HealthSystem.
The whole visit took under 20 mins the most.
After the visit Northshore University HealthSystem sent a bill in the amount of more $ 630 saying that Blue Cross and Blue Shields isn’t being accepted by Northshore University HealthSystem anymore.
I have insurance from Blue Cross and Blue Shields, a silver choice PPO and in the documents stated that Northshore University HealthSystem does accept such insurance plan.
Also when I presented my insurance card, before the initial medical visit, Northshore University HealhSystem reception desk never bothered to mention that it doesn’t accept this insurance anymore and took my insurance card as a payment method. Now I’m stuck with the bill of $ 630. Please be aware of this !!!
Bad customer service with Northshore University HealthSystem.

I need to update this review. I had a very bad experience with the MRI staff there. I ended up with a serious back problem after the MRI staff didn’t position and pad me properly.

My review of the ER is similar to one that appears here from a few months ago. We arrived at 5 pm – my husband choking on a bay leaf that was stuck in his throat. Packed in an untidy room. 2 check-​in people, oblivious to the needs of the folks waiting (many of whom appeared chronically meds-​addicted). One of the check-​in women herself had a deep, dangerous phlegmy cough. No one checks to see how urgent needs are (such as choking). 2 hours later, sitting untended, a dr. saw us – an older, mature man who yet did not know what to do with such an ordinary-​seeming incident, ordered an Xray, had us sit 2 hours more while he telephoned a dr (no one available at the hospital!!), and sent us home; my husband in distress and the leaf still stuck in his throat. We were there from 5 – 9 pm.
Horrible attention, administration, cleanliness, order, and complete deficit of sufficient medical staff. Who permits this place to operate?

I have primarily worked with the Ophthalmology center at this hospital. It has been a nightmare… I have never waited less than an hour and a half to see a doctor. (Once I even waited three hours.) My case is complicated and instead of trying to understand what’s happening with me, the doctors have tried to get rid of me as quickly as possible. I had a particularly awful experience with Dr. John H. Pula, who did not listen to a word I said about how devastating my condition has been to myself and my family and only bothered to give me a referral when I burst into tears.

Always clean and comfortable. Very polite, friendly and helpful people here. Parking could be a little easier but it’s not bad. Extremely competent and efficient. The NorthShoreConnect communication system is really great. Test results, scheduling, appointment reminders, prompt, personal answers to questions sent right to the Dr. and his team.

This is my second time this week in the ER. The first time was because I got an almond/​walnut allergy. I had a swelled throat, and a bunch of hives. I arrived at their emergency center at 2:30 pm, I saw the nurse at 3 pm, they didn’t get me a room until 6:30 pm and the doctor didn’t show up until 8 pm… Like what the hell? I could have died before the doctor showed up if my throat was more swollen or if my case was more serious. And the bad thing is that the doctor literally came in for 3 minutes, asked me a couple of questions and checked my throat in the hall… Some nurses came and got me out of my room to give the room to somebody else. Anywho, this time, we came for my aunt. It took them an hour to get her a room and an hour for the doctor to show up. This is ridiculous. It supposed to be an ER that treats people fast and quickly, not an ER where people die waiting for the doctor to show up.

I was admitted here over the weekend and the sheer amount of doctors who came to see me was fantastic. They were kind, compassionate and caring. The nursing staff was extremely helpful and kind. I must say I was very impressed with the quality of the staff, cleanliness of the room, and the overall atmosphere (was in the newly updated wing). When you consider how awful it is to be admitted to the hospital for any reason, it is nice to know that these people really care.
While there are communication issues that I think any patient could expect at any healthcare facility (i.e. when am I being discharged), they really seem to have their act together here. Thanks for everything, Northshore! Especially to all the nurses and nurses assistants, Dr. Lee in the ER, Dr. Marcus, Dr. Mallios, Dr. Sandler, Dr. Shah, and the PA’s that came to see me as well. What an outstanding job you all did. Thanks again!

Bad customer service.
I called up today to ask if the doctor’s office usually calls up the patients to do their yearly check-​ups and etc., the way the lady was replying was so rude and not professional. Really disappointing customer service. After all that she asks if I want to make an appointment, SERIOUSLY you are asking!!!
I will not be going there and you will not earn my business anymore.

Waited forever in the emergency room. And in the actual patient room it felt like an interrogation room, asking me irrelevent questions and hovering over me. I had spinal stenosis and they gave me a prescription of only Advil and Motrin! Very generic and rushed. The nurse and her assistant thought my injury was not an emergency so they just assumed it was chronic pain.
The good part is they took X-​ray and said I had no broken bones but still this was an interior blood clot swelling spinal stenosis, not just some chronic pain.
Few stars for the cleanliness of the hospital and TV in the room to keep me busy. You have to wait a long time after the x-​ray because they are putting the photos on a disc.

Wow their rooms at this hospital are newly furnished. THEY also have free parking. STAFF at this hospital are great and the emergency room wait time was not long at all!