Fire departments warn of longer ambulance trips, less coverage amid issues Vista hospital

Waukegan Fire departments warn of longer ambulance trips, less coverage amid issues Vista hospital In addition to the EMS bypass, IDPH said American Healthcare Systems, which purchased Vista Medical Center East in 2023, said the hospital failed to make payroll. By Francie Swidler • Published 5 hours ago • Updated 2 hours ago Multiple fire departments in the far northern suburbs warned residents this week that ambulances can no longer take patients to nearby Vista Medical Center East , forcing crews to travel farther to other hospitals and potentially leaving communities waiting longer for an available ambulance. The Illinois Department of Public Health notified fire departments in the area of the hospital on EMS bypass Sunday. According to the IDPH, the move means ambulances can no longer transport patients to the Waukegan hospital and must instead take them elsewhere until further notice.” Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE According to IDPH, the hospital was placed on bypass due to staffing instability and lack of anesthesiology services. An Oct. 23 report from the Lake & McHenry County Scanner said the anesthesia group contracted by the hospital had suspended services due to a lack of payment . The impact for surrounding communities could be significant. In Zion, for example, the fire and rescue department says it transports an average of 175 patients a month to Vista. Those patients may now have to be taken miles away to Libertyville or elsewhere. "We hope and plan that the situations that caused the ambulance bypass are rectified as quickly as possible," a statement from Zion Fire-Rescue said. "It is extremely important that the northeast Lake County communities have a full-service hospital and emergency department in our area." A number of other fire departments in Lake County outside Waukegan, including Beach Park, North Chicago, also released statements about the change posted about the change and how it would affect their communities. The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department said it would have to travel as far as 20 miles away to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, or in some cases cross state lines to hospitals in Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie. Local Wicker Park 50 minutes ago Chicago is getting a new toilet — but it's not just any toilet. Here's why Bolingbrook 1 hour ago Wildly popular building toy Magna-Tiles to build new suburban Chicago headquarters "We're a small department, and every long trip out of town leaves Winthrop Harbor with less coverage for the next emergency," the department's message said. In addition to the bypass, IDPH said American Healthcare Systems, which purchased the hospital in 2023, said the hospital failed to make payroll. The private group also owns Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, which has faced similar problems. “Missing payroll is completely unacceptable and irresponsible – for hardworking physicians, nurses, employees, and most critically – patients," IDPH said in a statement. "Gateway and Vista are private, for-profit hospitals whose operations and finances are managed by American Healthcare Systems. Their lack of communication, transparency, and responsible financial management and contingency planning is extremely concerning." Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham described the hospital's issues as an "ongoing breakdown," and called for the hospital to be sold. "For months, the city has watched a recurring cycle of financial missteps, administrative instability, and broken promises from American Healthcare Systems," Cunningham said in a statement. "Enough is enough. It is time for American Healthcare Systems to step aside, transition away from Vista Medical Center East, and sell the hospital to a responsible healthcare operator. The community deserves better." The EMS bypass is the latest setback for the hospital. In October, IDPH revoked Vista Medical Center East's designation as a Level II trauma center for the second time in two years, limiting its ability to treat certain serious injuries. In July, NBC Chicago reported that the hospital faced foreclosure proceedings over $2 million in back taxes owed to Lake County. Late last year, the hospital ended its labor and delivery and obstetrics and gynecology services and announced cutbacks to its cardiac care hours . This article tagged under: Waukegan Hospitals