Most Amazing ER in the World... in Illinois?

There is a lot of talk about healthcare in the news in Illinois (and the country), but not nearly enough about one part: the amazing healthcare facilities, and the amazing people who work in them.

Illinois should be proud to have some of the best in the country (including one where patient satisfaction is in the 98th percentile). You may have noticed recently that Elmhurst Memorial Hospital is being celebrated as the most amazing ER in the world – and for good reason.

As someone who has been there, a few observations:

Before you even enter the hospital you know you’re in for a different experience. The facade looks more like a Hilton Hotel than a hospital, and the ER waiting room looks more like a lavish hotel lobby. Wait time is fast (the website displays that average wait time is less than five minutes).

The hospital includes amenities like a private bathroom in every treatment room for comfort and convenience (you know, to prevent those long, awkward trips to the public facilities down the hall)... and get this: there is a full-service Starbucks down the hall, and a Walgreens.

Once inside your private ER room (an actual room with a door - not a typical open bay with curtains), you’ll not only find the most sophisticated medical equipment, but your own private bathroom and a flat screen TV.

This is the kind of place (and these are the kind of people) that everyone in Illinois can be proud of and embrace together... regardless of everything else.