July 13, 2010

To: Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Patients

You may have seen media reports involving a lawsuit brought against Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR), Rush University Medical Center, the Rush Surgicenter and several Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush surgeons. The lawsuit was brought by a single disgruntled non-MOR physician who has been making allegations against Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush for many years that are simply not true. We are proud of the quality care we provide and our long relationship with Rush University Medical Center. Our guiding principles of clinical excellence, world class research, and educational leadership, remain the foundation for Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.

These allegations were first brought to the attention of Rush University Medical Center and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in 2004. Rush University Medical Center investigated them and found no evidence of wrongdoing by MOR physicians. The individual who initiated this complaint has persisted in making claims against MOR in numerous venues without success. He solicited investigations by the State of Illinois and US Department of Justice and neither decided to pursue those allegations.

I want to take this opportunity to point out a few important highlights for you to be aware of and to share:

• Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush is the leading clinical and orthopedic research center in the Midwest and its physicians are national leaders in a variety of orthopedic subspecialties.
• In U.S.News & World Report's 2009 issue showcasing "America's Best Hospitals," Rush ranked in nine of sixteen categories. And, Rush was ranked higher than any other Illinois hospital in orthopedics, and is #12 in the nation.
• Patients are far more likely to recommend Rush than most hospitals in all of Illinois and in the Chicago area, according to the national patient survey, HCAHPS.
• For the fifth year in a row, Rush ranked in the top 10 in the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) annual Quality and Accountability study.
• Rush was named among the top hospitals in the country for quality, safety and efficiency by the Leapfrog Group, a national organization that promotes health care safety and quality improvement. National data on quality is available at the Illinois Hospital Report Card Web site: www.healthcarereportcard.illinois.gov.
• In 2006, Rush received renewal of its Magnet status, the highest recognition given for nursing excellence. The designation recognizes Rush nursing staff for overall excellence and for providing the very best care to patients.

Please let me assure you that providing you and your families with the best possible care is our top priority.