Investigation Reveals Failures in Responding to Patient Abuse Allegations in Illinois Health Systems

**Title: Illinois Health Systems Fail to Protect Patients from Abuse by Medical Workers**

In a shocking revelation, a yearlong investigation by the Tribune has uncovered a disturbing trend in Illinois health care systems. Patients who reported instances of sexual abuse and assault by medical workers were failed by the very institutions they trusted with their health and safety.

The investigation revealed harrowing accounts of abuse, including incidents at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, Glenbrook Hospital, and Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center. In each case, patients reported abuse to the hospitals, but the workers were allowed to continue providing care, leading to additional victims and devastating consequences.

Despite state laws requiring hospitals to report allegations of patient abuse, many providers failed to do so, facing minimal consequences for their inaction. The lack of oversight and accountability left patients vulnerable to further abuse, with some workers facing allegations from multiple patients over the years.

One of the most egregious cases involved Dr. Fabio Ortega, a former gynecologist accused of sexually assaulting dozens of women over three decades. Despite complaints from patients and ongoing police investigations, the hospital allowed him to continue working, leading to numerous lawsuits and a trail of victims.

The investigation also highlighted loopholes in state laws that allowed medical corporations like the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute to escape scrutiny for failing to protect patients from abuse. In one case, an X-ray technician was accused of inappropriate conduct with multiple patients, yet the institute faced no consequences for its handling of the incidents.

The Tribune’s findings shed light on a broken system that prioritizes reputation and financial interests over patient safety. Victims of abuse suffered in silence, haunted by the trauma of their experiences and the betrayal by the institutions meant to care for them.

As the investigation continues, the Tribune calls for greater transparency, accountability, and reform in Illinois health care systems to ensure the protection of patients and the prevention of future abuse. If you have information to share, please reach out to the Tribune to help in their ongoing reporting on medical misconduct.