North Shore Health (NSH) will be closing its licensed Home Health Agency, and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) will be expanding its Visiting Nurse Services program to continue providing home‑based nursing care in Cook County.

This change is being made to create a more sustainable way to provide home‑based nursing services in our community. A review of NSH’s operations found that maintaining a separately licensed Home Health Agency requires significant administrative, regulatory, technology, and financial resources. By transitioning these services to SMC’s Visiting Nurse Services program, we can continue providing important care in patients’ homes while reducing unnecessary duplication between our organizations.

The new model allows visiting nurse documentation to connect more closely with Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s medical record, giving providers and nursing staff better access to up‑to‑date information. This improves care coordination and supports more seamless communication across a patient’s care team. Most importantly, NSH and SMC are working together so that patients continue receiving the same level of care, with the same caregivers.

As of October 2026, the transition process is expected to occur over the next several months.

No. All current NSH home care staff will continue in their roles through SMC. Patients will see the same caregivers they know and trust before, during, and after the transition.

No. While there may be minor administrative changes, such as updates to paperwork or billing, your care plan and service frequency are not expected to change. Most of the transition will occur behind the scenes.

Possibly. Some administrative updates may be needed as your services move under SMC’s program. Patients will receive clear instructions and support with any required forms closer to the transition date.