QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: May 22, 2002
(Date of earliest event reported)

Commission file number: 1-7293


TENET HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
(State or Incorporation)
  95-2557091
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     

3820 State Street
Santa Barbara, California 93105
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(805) 563-7000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





ITEM 5. Other Events.

        On May 22, 2002, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), announced that its Board of Directors approved a 3-for-2 split of its common stock and a reduction in the par value of the common stock from $.075 per share to $.050 per share. The additional shares of stock will be distributed on June 28, 2002, to holders of record at the close of business on June 12, 2002. A press release announcing the stock split is attached as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements And Exhibits.


Exhibit No.
  Description
     
99   Press release dated May 22, 2002.
     
     
     


SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    TENET HEALTHCARE CORPORATION    
           
    By:      
      /s/  RICHARD B. SILVER      
Richard B. Silver
Senior Vice President and Secretary
   
           
Date: May 22, 2002          
           
           
           


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

  Description
     
99   Press Release dated May 22, 2002
     
     
     
     



QuickLinks

FORM 8–K
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX