How Chicago hospitals handled most violent weekend since 2016

Alyssa Rege -

A reported 74 shooting victims sought emergency care at various hospitals throughout Chicago between 3 p.m. Aug. 3 and 6 a.m. Aug. 6, making it one of the most violent weekends in the city since at least 2016, according to data compiled by the Chicago Tribune.

Roughly a dozen of the 70-plus shooting victims died.

Mount Sinai Hospital saw at least 13 victims. Jonathan Bean, MD, told the publication four of the victims were critical and "one of the four came with no heartbeat, wasn't breathing, and had gunshots all over his abdomen and chest."

The hospital called in extra physicians to work during the weekend to help treat the influx of patients. The 319-bed facility also limited visitation to immediate family, a Mount Sinai spokesperson told the Chicago Tribune. At one point, the hospital went on "bypass," meaning ambulances were diverted to other hospitals.

John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital treated at least 21 gunshot victims, or roughly one-third of the 70-plus individuals who were shot. Mount Sinai treated the second largest proportion of victims.

Stroger similarly only allowed immediate family members to visit patients so "the medical team could offer their full attention to the patients in our care," the facility said in a prepared statement to the Chicago Tribune.

The University of Chicago Medical Center treated at least 12 victims, while other hospitals across the city, including Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Roseland Community Hospital, treated a smaller number of victims.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told the Chicago Tribune he visited Stroger and Mount Sinai Aug. 8 to thank the medical staff at both institutions for their work. Religious leaders also met at Stroger the following day to pray for the victims.

To access the full report, click here.

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