Social Services
West Suburban Medical Center
3 Erie Court
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-763-6200
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West Suburban Medical Center's Social Work Department is dedicated to delivering quality services to hospitalized and emergency room patients, and outpatients.
As members of an interdisciplinary health care team, our staff understands the emotional and psychological effects of illness. Acting as liasons between patients and physicians, social workers strive to match each patient's needs with a service designed to benefit them. The staff is sensitive, supportive, and encourages patients and families to draw on their own strengths in adjusting to hospitalization, illness and planning for future care.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers successfully deal with and resolve issues related to stress, conflicts, chemical addiction, family systems, as well as other relational, occupational, and stress related situations.
The Social Work Department's Services Include:
- Continuity of Care Planning - The professionals in the Social Work Department work with the patient, family members, physician and other members of the health care team to develop a discharge plan most suitable to the patients needs.
- Rehabiliation - A social worker is an active member of the rehabilitation team, helping patients on the road to recovery. When severe illness occurs, such as a stroke or heart attack, a social worker guides patients and family members through the rehabilitation process. If a patient requires additional rehabilitative services, a social worker refers the patient to an appropriate rehabilitation facility and assists the transfer to that facility upon discharge from the hospital.
- Counseling - A social worker is able to evaluate the patient's emotional condition and inform the physician of situations which may effect treatment. Short-term counseling is available in the areas of family problems, substance abuse and child concerns. In situations where patients or family members are in need of more counseling than can be provided during hospitalization, referrals are made to community agencies.
- Long Term Care - There are times when patients, due to physical and / or social factors, can no longer be cared for within their own home. When this situation arises, a social worker can provide information about nursing homes, including their level and quality of care, locations and financial resources.