Other Services

Endoscopy

An endoscope is a flexible, lighted tube that, when inserted into the digestive system, transmits images of the inside of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, allowing the physician to carefully examine the lining of these organs. Our endoscopy team works to make you as comfortable as possible before, during and after the procedure.

Direct Admission

For your convenience, our hospital accepts direct admissions from extended care facilities and skilled nursing centers.

Patient/Family Care Conferences

Kindred’s multidisciplinary approach also includes regular meetings in which the medical team and family members meet to re-evaluate the customized plan of care. These conferences promote communication and provide a regular forum in which all professionals involved in the patient’s care can address questions and concerns.

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee provides guidance and support when a patient, family and/or significant other need to make difficult medical decisions. The committee’s goal is to review the patient’s beliefs, wishes, values and other relevant factors to help determine the appropriate course of action.

Spiritual Support Services

Pastoral/spiritual visits can be arranged for patients and/or family members. Please contact case management or the charge nurse. Personal clergy are also welcome to visit at any time.

Discharge Planning

Once patients are ready to be discharged, the physician, nurse and other patient care team members will discuss instructions for your care after discharge. The internal case manager will assist you in making appropriate arrangements for discharge.

Multidisciplinary Team

Physicians

Kindred Chicago Northlake has access to over 200 physicians specializing in anesthesiology, cardiology, dentistry, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, cardiothoracic/cardiovascular surgery, hematology, infectious disease, internal medicine, nephrology/dialysis, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, pain management, pathology, plastic surgery, physiatry (rehabilitation), podiatry, psychiatry, pulmonology, radiology and urology. A physician is in-house 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to meet the needs of our patients.

Nursing

The nursing staff at Kindred Hospital Chicago Northlake provides high quality nursing care around the clock to meet each patient’s unique needs. Registered nurses actively participate in the interdisciplinary patient care conferences along with physicians, respiratory therapists and specialists in other disciplines to design and implement the patient care plan. Licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants are also important components of the nursing team. This team of individuals, plus the other caregivers that are on the nursing units, make hourly rounds to ensure that your needs are being met.

In addition, a nursing supervisor is on duty 24-hours a day to answer questions about nursing care or any other questions you may have.

Radiology

Radiology plays an important role in diagnosing many illnesses. Registered radiological technologists provide a variety of x-rays and diagnostic procedures that are overseen by board-certified radiologists.

Laboratory

The clinical laboratory staff, under the direction of a board-certified pathologist, is responsible for collecting specimens, performing tests, reporting the results and providing scientific and medical consultations. These help physicians screen for disease, establish and confirm diagnoses and monitor the course of a disease and a patient’s response to treatment.

Pharmacy

Kindred Hospital Chicago Northlake operates an in-house pharmacy that is under the direction of and staffed by licensed pharmacists and technicians. They prepare medications and provide special dietary supplements when requested by physician orders.

Dietary Services

The dietary department, under the direction of a registered dietician, ensures that individual nutritional needs are met and ensure that diets are prepared according to physician orders. In addition, dietitians will perform periodic assessments and will monitor patient nutrition plans throughout their length of stay. Patients and/or families are asked to indicate food preferences, dislikes or food allergies to the dietitian on staff.

Surgical Services

Limited surgical procedures are done at Kindred Hospital’s Chicago - North on Montrose Avenue and are performed in our surgery suites. Minor procedures are performed at the patient’s bedside. If necessary, patients are transferred to another acute care facility for specialty procedures.

Social Services/Case Management

To provide support before, during and after hospitalization, a wide range of social services is provided to patients and their loved ones. These services include counseling, discharge planning, referrals to community agencies and assistance in securing medical equipment for use at home. Family members can also participate in patient care conferences with the physician and interdisciplinary team as requested.