South Suburban Hospital: The Complete Guide to Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, IL

What’s New & Unique in This Guide (Latest Updates Top Articles Are Missing)

Most pages about “South Suburban Hospital” only repeat the basic address and a short service list. This guide goes further. Here’s what you’ll find here that’s hard to get anywhere else in one place:

• A brand-new 22,045 sq. ft. Behavioral Health Unit with 27 private patient rooms opened on the renovated third floor — relocated from Advocate Christ Medical Center.
• The unit will serve ~800 inpatients annually and up to 5,000 additional patients through partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services.
• An expanded integrated behavioral health pilot that embeds social workers in primary care clinics across the south suburbs.
• A recent 87-patient-room renovation across floors 2, 3 and 4 (new flooring, fixtures, bathrooms, nurse-call technology) plus surgical theater lighting upgrades.
• Updated emergency department volume — over 47,000 ED patients per year.
• A clear breakdown of Healthgrades awards, Leapfrog ratings, Illinois Hospital Report Card scores, and how the hospital compares with neighboring facilities like Advocate Christ Medical Center, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, and Ingalls Memorial.
• A side-by-side note on the other “South Suburban” facilities people often confuse this hospital with (in Colorado).

If you’re a patient, caregiver, job-seeker, or just researching the south Chicagoland healthcare scene, this is the most complete, up-to-date overview you’ll find.

Quick Facts: Advocate South Suburban Hospital at a Glance

Where Is South Suburban Hospital Located?

Advocate South Suburban Hospital sits at 17800 South Kedzie Avenue, Hazel Crest, IL 60429, in the southern suburbs of Chicago. The campus is easily reachable from I-294, I-80 and I-57, and it serves communities including Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills, Markham, Homewood, Flossmoor, Oak Forest, Tinley Park and Olympia Fields.

The main hospital phone is 708-799-8000, and it operates 24/7.

Quick tip: Do not confuse Advocate South Suburban Hospital (Hazel Crest, IL) with AdventHealth Littleton in Colorado — that facility is sometimes referred to as a “south suburban hospital” because of South Suburban Family Medicine and other practices in the Denver area. They are separate, unrelated organizations.

A Quick History of South Suburban Hospital

South Suburban Hospital was founded in 1946 to serve the growing south suburbs of Chicago. For nearly five decades it operated as an independent community hospital. In 1995, it joined the newly merged Advocate Health Care system — created from the merger of Evangelical Health Systems Corporation (EHS) and Lutheran General Health System (LGHS).

Today the hospital is part of Advocate Health, which is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States. The wider network has more than 155,000 employees, 42,000+ nurses and 21,000+ doctors, and serves nearly six million patients each year across Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Services & Specialties at Advocate South Suburban Hospital

Advocate South Suburban is a comprehensive acute-care hospital offering inpatient, outpatient, emergency, surgical, diagnostic and ambulatory services. Below is the full picture, organized by specialty.

1. Emergency Services (24/7 ER)

The Emergency Department is one of the busiest in the south suburbs.

• Volume: 47,000+ patient visits per year
• Staffing: Board-certified or board-eligible emergency medicine physicians
• Nursing: Certified in multiple emergency-care specialties (trauma, cardiac, pediatric, etc.)
• Capabilities: Stroke care, cardiac emergencies, trauma stabilization, pediatric emergencies
• Stroke Designation: Primary Stroke Center

2. Heart & Vascular Care (Advocate Heart Institute)

The hospital is a regional referral center for cardiac care, with the Advocate Heart Institute at Advocate South Suburban Hospital handling everything from prevention to advanced intervention.

Conditions treated:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack (STEMI/NSTEMI)
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, etc.)
• Valvular heart disease
• Peripheral vascular disease

Diagnostic & treatment tools:

• Exercise / stress tests
• Adult and pediatric EKG
• Echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms
• Holter monitoring
• Cardiac catheterization with diagnostic angiograms
• Carotid artery stenting (CMS-approved facility)
• Coronary intervention / angioplasty / stent placement

To schedule, call 708-213-3332 or 800-3-ADVOCATE.

3. Stroke & Neuroscience Care

As a Primary Stroke Center (PSC), the hospital meets nationally recognized standards for:

• A dedicated stroke-focused program
• Staffing by qualified, stroke-trained medical professionals
• Coordinated post-discharge patient self-care
• Rapid imaging and clot-busting therapy windows

4. Behavioral Health (Newly Opened Unit)

This is the biggest recent development at the hospital. A new 22,045-square-foot Behavioral Health Unit opened on the renovated third floor, relocating the program previously based at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Highlights of the new unit:

• 27 private patient rooms
• Six intensive-care behavioral rooms
• Seclusion room
• Two nurse stations
• Dining room, activity room, three group rooms, on-unit laundry
• Recreational spaces and fitness center
• Ligature-resistant fixtures and access doors
• Designed to FGI and New York State Office of Mental Health patient-safety standards

Capacity:

• ~800 inpatients per year
• Up to 5,000 additional patients/year through partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient (IOP) services

The hospital is also expanding an integrated behavioral health pilot that places social workers inside primary care clinics across the south suburbs to connect patients to mental health support earlier.

5. Surgery & the Surgical Procedural Center

Advocate South Suburban recently expanded and modernized its operating rooms in a new Surgical Procedural Center, which combines a new addition with reconfigured spaces in the main hospital. The upgrade was designed for evolving surgical and cardiac procedure technology.

Surgical services include:

• General surgery
• Orthopedic surgery (joint replacement, arthroscopy, spine surgery)
• Cardiac and vascular surgery
• Gynecologic surgery
• Minimally invasive / laparoscopic procedures
• Outpatient surgery

6. Maternity & Family Birth Center

The Family Birth Center delivers more than 1,000 babies a year, with care from prenatal through postpartum.

• Labor and delivery suites
• Antepartum and postpartum care
• Lactation support
• State-designated Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery (NICU) with 24-hour care for high-risk babies
• Childbirth and parenting classes

7. Cancer Care (Oncology)

Patients in the south suburbs can receive cancer care close to home, including:

• Medical oncology
• Chemotherapy infusion services
• Radiation oncology coordination
• Cancer screenings (breast, colon, prostate, lung)
• Survivorship and support groups

The chemotherapy center is consistently mentioned by patients as one of the strongest services on campus.

8. Orthopedics

• Joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder)
• Sports medicine
• Spine surgery
• Fracture care
• Arthroscopy
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

9. Women’s Health

• OB-GYN services
• Maternity care
• Breast imaging and breast health
• Pelvic floor and gynecologic surgery
• Menopause and hormone management

10. Other Specialty Services

The hospital runs several specialty clinics for diverse needs:

• Wound care (advanced wound healing)
• Chronic pain management
• Sleep disorders / sleep lab
• Ophthalmology
• Gastroenterology (colonoscopy, endoscopy)
• Pulmonology (chronic pulmonary heart diseases, including pulmonary hypertension)
• Nephrology (kidney care, including dialysis services)
• Rehabilitation (PT, OT, speech)
• Imaging & diagnostics (CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, nuclear medicine)
• Laboratory services

11. Senior Services & Community Outreach

Advocate South Suburban is known for its outreach programs:

• Free health screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, stroke risk)
• Senior support groups
• Community education events
• Partnerships with local churches and civic organizations

Awards, Recognitions & Quality Ratings

Healthgrades Awards

In recent years, Advocate South Suburban Hospital has been recognized by Healthgrades with:

• Patient Safety Excellence Award™ — top in the nation for preventing infections, medical errors and other preventable complications
• America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award™
• Stroke Care Excellence Award™

Healthgrades tracks outcome ratings for 12 hospital services at the facility.

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News evaluates the hospital as a general medical and surgical facility, rates patient experience across up to 10 categories, and assesses how well the hospital cares for diverse and underserved patient populations.

Illinois Hospital Report Card (IDPH)

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health Hospital Report Card:

• 63% of patients would recommend the hospital, which is about 7% lower than the state average.
• The hospital is designated a Primary Stroke Center.
• It does not currently offer obstetric perinatal designation under that specific IDPH category.

Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Group publishes a Hospital Safety Grade twice a year for Advocate South Suburban Hospital based on safety standards, infection rates, and process measures. Patients should check the latest grade directly on the Leapfrog ratings site for current results.

CMS / Medicare Recognition

• CMS Provider Number: 140250
• Effective date: October 24, 2005
• Approved facility for carotid artery stenting
• Reports infection data through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

How Advocate South Suburban Compares to Nearby Hospitals

If you’re choosing a hospital in the south Chicagoland area, here’s how Advocate South Suburban compares with neighboring facilities for quick reference.

For specialized cardiac procedures, stroke care and behavioral health, Advocate South Suburban is often a strong “close to home” option that avoids longer drives into the city.

Recent Renovations & Capital Investment

Advocate South Suburban has been quietly transforming itself through several major construction projects:

• Behavioral Health Unit (3rd floor) — 22,045 sq. ft. complete overhaul
• Patient Room Upgrades (ACS-4 project) — 69,000 sq. ft., 87 patient rooms across floors 2, 3 and 4 fully renovated with new flooring, ceilings, fixtures, bathrooms, wardrobe cabinets and nurse-call station technology
• Surgical Theater Lighting replacement
• Surgical Procedural Center — new addition combined with reconfigured spaces for advanced surgical and cardiac procedures
• Exterior Restoration — masonry and waterproofing work to protect the lobby and patient-facing spaces from water infiltration

These investments show a clear strategy: continue serving the south suburbs with modernized facilities rather than consolidating services into city hospitals.

For Patients: What to Expect During Your Visit

Patient Registration

• Located to the right of the front-lobby information desk on the first floor
• Bring insurance card + photo ID
• For outpatient tests, bring the prescription from your physician
• Pregnant patients can pick up preadmission forms at the Family Birth Center or registration

What to Bring

• All prescription medications you regularly take
• Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, shampoo)
• Optional: pajamas, bathrobe, slippers, favorite pillow (with a colored pillowcase)
• Insurance + ID + any physician referrals

What to Leave at Home

• Jewelry, large amounts of cash, credit cards
• Computers and other expensive electronics
• Anything over $5 in value should be sent home with family or stored in the hospital safe (Public Safety issues a signed receipt)

Room Service Dining

• Available 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Order via extension 463463
• Meals arrive within an hour
• Diet is physician-prescribed, so some items may be restricted
• Guest trays can be purchased through the cashier

Smoking Policy

The entire campus is completely smoke-free, including all parking lots.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phone use is allowed only in designated public waiting areas — lobbies, gift shop, cafeteria, surgical waiting area, outpatient and registration waiting areas, and family waiting areas on nursing units.

For Visitors: Visiting Hours & Policies

The hospital does not restrict visitation based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, culture, size, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or physical/mental ability.

A non-denominational prayer and meditation room is open 24/7 just off the main lobby.

For hearing-impaired callers, a TDD line is available at 708-799-6190.

Contact Directory

Insurance, Billing & Financial Assistance

Advocate South Suburban Hospital publishes a standard charges list for common services so patients can estimate out-of-pocket costs in advance. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. Financial assistance programs are available for qualifying patients — speak with the patient registration department or visit the Advocate Health Care website for the financial assistance application.

Patient Reviews: What People Are Actually Saying

Real-world patient feedback is mixed, which is normal for any 289-bed acute-care hospital that handles 47,000+ ER visits per year.

Common positives:

• Strong praise for the Chemotherapy Center and oncology team
• Specific shout-outs to ER staff (technicians, RNs) for compassionate, detail-oriented care
• Convenient location for south suburban residents
• Modern renovations to patient rooms and surgical center

Common concerns reported by some patients:

• ED wait times during peak hours
• Inconsistent communication from some nursing units
• Mixed experiences with environmental services and room cleaning

The Illinois Hospital Report Card shows 63% would recommend, slightly below the state average — a useful benchmark to weigh against the strong clinical recognitions like the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.

If you have a concern during a stay, the hospital’s Patient Advocacy office is the official channel.

Careers at Advocate South Suburban Hospital

Advocate Health is a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 155,000 team members system-wide. South Suburban regularly hires for:

• Registered Nurses (RNs) — med-surg, ER, ICU, NICU, behavioral health
• Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
• Hospitalists, ER physicians, cardiologists, surgeons
• Allied health (radiology techs, lab techs, respiratory therapists, PTs/OTs)
• Behavioral health specialists, social workers, therapists
• Patient registration, billing, and support staff

Job listings are posted on the Advocate Health Care careers portal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the address of Advocate South Suburban Hospital?

17800 S. Kedzie Avenue, Hazel Crest, IL 60429.

What is the main phone number?

708-799-8000 (open 24/7).

Is Advocate South Suburban Hospital a Level I trauma center?

No. It operates a busy, well-equipped Emergency Department but is not designated a Level I or Level II trauma center. It is, however, a designated Primary Stroke Center.

Does South Suburban Hospital deliver babies?

Yes. The Family Birth Center delivers more than 1,000 babies per year and runs a state-designated Level II NICU for high-risk newborns.

Does it have a behavioral health (mental health) unit?

Yes. A brand-new 27-bed inpatient Behavioral Health Unit opened on the renovated third floor, plus partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.

What awards has it won?

Recent recognitions include the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award, America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention, and the Stroke Care Excellence Award.

How many beds does Advocate South Suburban Hospital have?

The hospital is a 289-bed acute care facility, with around 286 beds reported in some federal datasets after recent renovations.

Who owns Advocate South Suburban Hospital?

It is part of Advocate Health Care, which is part of Advocate Health — the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States.

When did it become part of Advocate?

In 1995, when South Suburban Hospital joined the newly merged Advocate Health Care system.

Does the hospital accept Medicare and Medicaid?

Yes. CMS Provider Number: 140250.

Is there a patient portal?

Yes — patients use the LiveWell app and patient portal from Advocate Health Care to manage appointments, messages, test results, prescriptions and virtual visits.

Is “South Suburban Hospital” the same as the one in Colorado?

No. The Hazel Crest, IL facility is Advocate South Suburban Hospital. In the Denver area, “south suburban” usually refers to AdventHealth Littleton (formerly Littleton Adventist Hospital) or to South Suburban Family Medicine, a separate primary-care practice. They are unrelated organizations.

Does the hospital have visiting hours?

Yes. General visiting hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily, with up to two visitors at the bedside. Fathers in the Family Birth Center may visit 24 hours a day.

Is Advocate South Suburban Hospital smoke-free?

Yes — the entire campus is smoke-free, including parking lots.

How big is the Emergency Department?

It treats more than 47,000 patients each year, with board-certified emergency medicine physicians and specially trained nurses.