Kishwaukee Hospital

Kishwaukee Hospital Official Says COVID-19 Immunization On Track, Emphasizes Importance Of Supply

By • Jan 12, 2021
Kishwaukee Hospital

Area health care providers like Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb are currently vaccinating their health care workers. Reporter Chase Cavanaugh spoke with Medical Director of Infection Prevention Dr. Bob Manam. 

Cavanaugh: With doses of vaccine now available in the hands of hospitals like Kish, what are you seeing on the ground in terms of vaccine rollout and distribution?

Doctor Suggests Ways To Treat Mild Coronavirus Symptoms & Boost Immunity

By Connie Kuntz • Apr 21, 2020

Besides hand washing and social distancing, what are things you can do to boost your immunity? And if you do show symptoms of coronavirus, what should you do?

It starts with recognizing the symptoms. Dr. Andrew Oleksyn is the medical director for the emergency department at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital.

"Typical symptoms" he said, "are fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat." He continued, "There's also been reports of loss of smell or taste, fatigue, or general malaise."

How Local Hospitals And Health Departments Coordinate On Coronavirus

By • Mar 2, 2020
DeKalb County Health Department

As the coronavirus spreads, local health departments and hospitals are monitoring the situation and making plans. 

To keep abreast of the situation, municipalities are in constant contact with their counterparts across the state. Lisa Gonzalez, Public Health Administrator for the DeKalb County Health Department, explains. 

“We have the Region 1 Health Departments which are the 9 counties in northwest Illinois, but we also work with Chicago region health departments and statewide health departments as well," she said. 

Kishwaukee Hospital Conducts Hazmat Drill

By • Sep 12, 2019
Spencer Tritt

Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb was the site of a full-scale hazmat drill Thursday.

Local firefighters and paramedics worked with hospital staff on how to treat victims of a chemical accident. This includes suiting up in protective gear, de-contaminating patients, and transporting them to the hospital.  DeKalb firefighter Patrick Eriksen says emergency workers need to be prepared for everything.

Kishwaukee Hospital Acquires Precision Surgical Robot

By • Aug 9, 2019
Chase Cavanaugh

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital has just acquired a precision surgical robot.

Known as a da Vinci, it consists of multiple arms equipped with different instruments for surgery, such as scissors and forceps. Dr. Ricardo Soares was trained on the system, and said using it takes more time than a conventional surgery. But he said the robot can allow for a procedure that doesn’t require as much time for recovery.

Kishwaukee Hospital Begins Construction On Breast Health Center

By • May 22, 2019
Anderson Mikos Architects

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb could have a new breast health center by the fall.

Officials with Northwestern Medicine say the center is meant to increase breast cancer screening rates in DeKalb County. That rate is 65%, compared to a statewide average of 78%. The center will be a buildout of 6,000 square feet on the hospital office building's first floor.

DeKalb County Hospitals Test 'Telestroke' Conferencing

By • Oct 12, 2018

Northwestern Medicine operates the two major hospitals in DeKalb County, but the majority of its resources for stroke care are based at Central DuPage Hospital.  That’s why Kishwaukee and Valley West Hospitals are making use of a telestroke system so doctors can videoconference with area patients.   Stroke coordinator Caryn Josh says it’s one of the first steps in patient care.

“They get that initial CT. They get back to the emergency department room and then we initiate the telestroke robot," she said. "We’re kind of involved from the very beginning with the treatment.”

Kishwaukee Hospital Plans $46 Million Wellness Center

By WNIJ News • Jan 3, 2017

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital could have a $46 million Wellness Center in the next two years

They want state approval to build a more than 100,000 square foot health and fitness center.  The DeKalb facility would be south of Bethany Road and Greenwood Acres Drive.   

The group's application claims the goal of the center is to increase access to forms of preventative health care, and boost the overall health of DeKalb County.  

The application is on the agenda for the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board's March 14 meeting.  

Residents Learn More About KishHealth Acquisition

By • Jan 20, 2016

DeKalb County residents got the chance to learn more about the recent deal between two northern Illinois health systems.

Late last year, KishHealth System joined Northwestern Medicine. It wasn’t a cash deal. For Northwestern, it could mean more patient referrals. For Kish, greater access to services among six hospitals and 90 facilities. State health regulators approved the deal last fall.

KishHealth discontinued in-patient mental health services several years ago. That will not change under the new system. DeKalb resident Donna Bennett says that’s a problem.

KishHealth System To Join Northwestern Medicine

By • Aug 5, 2015

The biggest health system in the DeKalb area is joining Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. That’s if a plan wins approval by state regulators.

KishHealth System and Northwestern Memorial Health Care announced they’ve agreed to join together. Their boards issued a joint statement about the proposed merger Wednesday. This means Northwestern Medicine would expand to include a total of six hospitals and 90 locations in northern Illinois.