Two weeks after a Waukegan hospital lost its Level II trauma center designation, the hospital is no longer accepting ambulances, according to multiple fire departments and officials.
Vista Medical Center East is now on bypass for all ambulances by order of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
That means ambulances will now go to Northwestern Medicine in Lake Forest, Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, or, for veterans, Lovell Federal Health Center in North Chicago. Some patients could even have to travel to Endeavor Health in higland park.
An IDPH Spokesperson said in a statement:
"Missing payroll is completely unacceptable and irresponsible – for hardworking physicians, nurses, employees, and most critically – patients. 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. The Illinois Department of Public Health's (IDPH) highest immediate priority is the health and safety of the patients and has been working and communicating with hospital administrative leaders in this regard. IDPH is coordinating with area hospitals to prepare for any potential abrupt changes in available care."
Walk-in patients are still being accepted.
