Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center Marks New Record With 100,000 Patient Admissions to the Weinstock Department of Emergency Medicine in 2024 Just ahead of the end of the calendar year, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center treated its 100,000th patient in 2024. The patient, A, is an IDF reservist in his early 20s who had completed over 350 days of military service since the beginning of the war. He presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pains. Tests revealed an abnormal ECG result indicating reduced cardiac function. A was then transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit in the Jesselson Integrated Heart Center where he was diagnosed with myocarditis, which the physicians ascribed to be likely linked to a recent viral infection. With treatment his condition quickly improved, and he has since been discharged in good condition. Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin said, “We take great pride in having Shaare Zedek’s Emergency Department as the city’s largest and most sought-after urgent care facility. In respond to consistently growing demands, we have invested in the Department’s significant expansion in recent years. We know that these patient increases reflect the trust the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding region have in our hospital and staff. We welcome this opportunity to salute the dedicated ED teams for their consistent hard work and dedication to always providing individualized and compassionate care for every patient who comes through our doors.” Dr. Todd Zalut, Director of the Shaare Zedek ED added, “We see it as a huge honor to be able to provide our patients with the medical care they need and deserve and to witness a growing number of people putting their trust in us. Our medical and support teams are the force that drives our continued growth and expansion with a constant attention to providing the highest standards of care. I feel deeply privileged to be a part of this extraordinary team and extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them for their constant dedication throughout the year.” Naama Bagrish, Head Nurse in the Department observed, “Over the past year more than 100,000 patients came to our ED. Alongside the steady increase in patient numbers resulting in this record, our efforts are always focused on developing our professional skills which translates to enhanced patient experiences. Our vision and hope is that each and every one of these 100,000 people felt that they were our top priority.”

Shaare Zedek Joins International Commemoration in Honor of the Nation’s Wounded The exterior façade of the Zvi and Betty Ryzman Family Building at Shaare Zedek Medical Center is illuminated tonight in purple in salute to the war casualties. The display is part of the "Purple Night" event raising awareness for victims of the ongoing war is part of commemorations of the International Day for the Rights of People with Disabilities. Prof.Ofer Merin, Director General of Shaare Zedek Medical Center said: "Since the outbreak of the war, the medical teams here at Shaare Zedek have been working day and night to treat the more than 1,400 casualties who have been evacuated here from the battlefields. Our staff, from the social workers to the surgeons and so many in between, have done so with remarkable dedication and professionalism. The wounded who came to us for treatment are all heroes, even while their daily struggles are sometimes far removed from the public eye. Today, through this important public demonstration, our hope is to raise awareness of the challenges they face and express our deep appreciation for the injured, their families, and the medical staff." Dr. Alon Schwartz, Head of the Trauma Unit at Shaare Zedek added: "Since October 7th, we have treated hundreds of injured men and women who arrived here suffering from a wide variety of injuries. The wounded and their families face many challenges, from physical pain to emotional hardships, and the knowledge that they will be adjusting to their new lives. My team and I are greatly inspired by these patients, by the courage and resilience they demonstrate often in the most difficult of times, and by their constant perseverance and hard work. Often, awareness of their pain and the difficulties they are going through isn’t known beyond the walls of the hospital. But it is important everyone should know that these people are true heroes who wake up every day committed to doing what is necessary to rebuild their lives in the face of injury and hardship.”

Shaare Zedek’s Anat and Amnon Shashua Breast Health Center recently introduced a groundbreaking new approach to breast surgery that is achieved without general anesthesia, allowing for a faster and easier recovery. The collaboration between Dr. Yahelli Miller, head of the Breast Surgery Unit, and Dr. Ariel Grass, a senior anesthesiologist specializing in regional anesthesia and pain management, has led to the development of a unique surgical approach for the benefit of women requiring breast surgery. This development involves the use of ‘nerve blocks’ in breast surgeries combined with the administration of only sedative agents (sedation) to achieve a deeper-than-usual sleep, providing patients with a calm and pleasant surgical experience and significantly reducing, or even preventing, postoperative side effects and pain. Dr. Miller explains: "Today, breast cancer treatment is personalized for each patient according to her specific type and stage of disease. We have now also added the personalization of anesthesia. It’s important to stress that surgery without general anesthesia is suitable for many women, but not all. Through the collaboration between our departments, we have maximized the effectiveness and scope of regional anesthesia and achieved pain control in all types of surgeries, even lengthy ones that include breast reconstruction. Patients wake up from surgery quickly, feeling alert and overall good, and are able to return to a high degree of functioning very soon thereafter. Dr. Grass adds: "While traditional breast surgeries typically use opioid pain relievers like morphine, the approach we have developed at Shaare Zedek in using 'blocks' to achieve complete pain control without the need for long-term opioid administration during and after surgery, as well as reducing the amount of anesthetic agents and the necessity for artificial ventilation."

For the first time in a spinal surgery, Shaare Zedek has relied on an innovative CT device to provide real-time 3D images. The new CT "communicates" in real-time with the surgical robot, enhancing precision during the surgery and providing an important breakthrough for both patients and staff. Last week, for the first time, a spine surgery at Shaare Zedek combined an intraoperative CT device (O-arm) with the Mazor X robot, allowing updated CT scans during surgery, significantly helping surgeons improve the robot’s precision. The surgery was led by Dr. Yair Barzilay, head of the Spine Surgery Unit, and Dr. Harel Arzi, head of the Pediatric Spine Surgery Service, along with the operating theater team and senior imaging technicians Oded Cohen and Gandy Kenzo. The new CT device enables 3D scanning of the vertebrae during surgery, providing the surgeons with the most current image of the situation. Based on this, the surgeons receive an accurate picture, allowing very precise placement of implants in the vertebrae. After planning based on the 3D CT scan, the robot assists in executing the plan with a high degree of precision. Additionally, the new CT device allows for another 3D scan of the spine after the implants are placed, ensuring their precise positioning before the surgery concludes. The system is developed and manufactured by the US-based healthcare technology company, Medtronic representing another collaboration in our historic commitment to partnering with American-based technology leaders and embracing American Best Practices in patient care. In last week’s case, the final scan showed optimal implant placement precisely matching the pre-surgery plan. Until now, patients would undergo a CT scan before surgery to plan the operation, but the surgeons wouldn’t be able to see the more “real-time” imagery during the procedure itself. The new imaging device eliminates the need for a preoperative CT scan, providing that real-time 3D imaging of the vertebrae in their most current state during surgery. This results in a more accurate and safer situation for the patient. This device is particularly beneficial in cases of repeat surgeries, surgeries done in multiple stages, or procedures where it’s difficult to obtain X-ray images during surgery due to an unusual spine structure, whether congenital or acquired. Dr. Yair Barzilay, said: "The integration of the new CT in spine surgeries is a major breakthrough for patients and colleagues in Israel and worldwide. The ability to integrate advanced online technologies during surgery significantly improves the surgical outcomes and overall patient care. Shaare Zedek is proud to introduce this innovative technology for our patients." Dr. Harel Arzi, added: "Using the most advanced technologies available ensures that our patients undergo surgery in a safer and more advanced way."

The Shaare Zedek community mourns the loss of Dr. Daphna Doron, Deputy Medical Director for Quality Control and Patient Safety. Dr. Doron passed away this week following a lengthy battle with a serious illness. Dr. Doron joined Shaare Zedek at the height of the Covid pandemic, when the hospital faced the challenge to continue to operate our overall medical activities with professionalism and safety, while also confronting the growing difficulties associated with Corona care. Upon joining Shaare Zedek she said, “I immediately had the sense that I was joining an elite team of medical professionals that was prepared to deal with the massive challenge facing our national and global healthcare community.” During her time at Shaare Zedek, Dr. Doron advanced the hospital’s quality control and patient safety systems for the benefit of patients and staff alike. Until her very last days, she was actively involved in preparing the hospital for a large-scale operational review by Israel’s Ministry of Health that took place just last week. It was in large-part due to her dedication and involvement that the hospital earned high marks in the review. A specialist in pediatric medicine, Dr. Doron leaves behind a husband and three children. Shaare Zedek’s Director General Prof. Ofer Merin eulogized her saying, “Daphna Doron taught us by remarkable example what is dedication and caring for others. Despite her illness, she continued to work tirelessly - and always with a smile and compassion. We feel deeply blessed to have had the chance to work alongside her and be the beneficiaries of this kind and caring approach to medical professionalism that she also worked to share with everyone she encountered. On behalf of the entire Shaare Zedek family I express my deep and sincere condolences to the Doron family.” יהי זכרה ברוך- May her memory be blessed

Shaare Zedek Cardiologist in Just the Right Place at the Right Time When Dr. Amir Orlev, Director of the Cardiology Department in the Jesselson Integrated Heart Center left for work together with his wife one recent morning, he expected it to just be another “ordinary” day. But shortly after leaving his home he came upon a man who was clearly in distress . Dr. Orlev approached and determined that the man was losing consiousness and was oxygen-deprived. Dr. Orlev accompanied the man by ambulance to Shaare Zedek where it was found that he was suffering a blockage in his blood flow. He was admitted into the Cath Lab where a large blood clot was removed in a life-saving procedure. The full story can be found in The Jerusalem Post: https://lnkd.in/dMZNcPCH

In honor of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) today, here at Shaare Zedek we proudly helped some of the city’s newest residents dress up for the occasion with shirts reading “Yerushalmi(t) M’Layda”- Jerusalemite from birth!

מנכ"ל המרכז הרפואי שערי צדק, פרופ' עופר מרין, מספר על פעילות המרכז הרפואי https://lnkd.in/dTNbFth2

Talya Slotki, Nursing Coordinator in the Pain Clinic at Shaare Zedek was awarded an Honorable Distinction for Bravery and Heroism today by the President of Israel. The award was presented in an emotional ceremony at the President’s Residence by President Isaac Herzog and Israel’s Minister of Health Uriel Buso. On the morning of October 7th, Noam and Yishai Slotki, the two sons of Talya and her husband Shmuel, left their home when the attack began and travelled south to join in brave defense of the besieged communities along the border. Both sons fought valiantly before falling in battle. For the next week their exact whereabouts and fate went unknown, before Talya and her family were informed that in fact both sons had been killed. Following the enormity of her personal tragedy, Talya returned to her role at Shaare Zedek soon after completion of the shiva. Since that time, she has continued to work tirelessly to provide critical medical care in addressing and alleviating pain. Among many of her patients have been soldiers evacuated from the fields of battle who were treated for a wide range of injuries – many of which included deeply painful orthopedic wounds and burns that have required Talya’s intensive attention and care. The bravery of the Slotki sons on that horrific day has become widely recognized as a symbol of remarkable heroism and love for their people and country - ideals upon which they were both raised by Talya and her husband. Talya’s continued service to her patients and her profession, despite the ongoing challenges resulting from her personal loss, is a source of inspiration to all of the Shaare Zedek family, and we wish her our deep congratulations on this most fitting honor. Talya, together we continue to mourn and together we proudly salute your dedication and resolve. Pictured (L-R) Sarah Goldberg,Shaare Zedek Deputy Director General for Nursing, Talya Slotki, President Isaac Herzog, Rabbi Shmuel Slotki, Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin.

Staff from all across Shaare Zedek Medical Center participated in a major emergency response drill today to test and prepare the hospital’s preparedness for a mass casualty incident (MCI). The drill simulated a missile strike on a high-rise residential tower in a Jerusalem neighborhood resulting in over 100 people being transferred to the hospital in a short span of time. The exercise was coordinated by Shaare Zedek’s Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Unit, together with first responders, and was designed to test the hospital systems for admitting, triaging and treating a large number of patients presenting with a wide variety of injuries. In light of the large influx of patients, the drill also tested the hospital’s ability to effectively triage and refer patients to other hospitals - among other scenarios. Shaare Zedek Director General Prof. Ofer Merin, who is himself an expert in disaster management and oversaw the hospital’s emergency response unit for many years, commented, “Our goal is to be ultimately prepared for whatever could possibly occur. We know that mass casualty incidents can occur at all times, but certainly the current security environment demands that we be even more prepared. This drill saw the participation of hundreds of hospital staff members from all departments, and will provide us with many key takeaways that we will now be able to implement. While we hope and pray for quieter days ahead, our mandate is to be ultimately prepared for all types of emergency scenarios.” Sarah Goldberg, Deputy Director General for Nursing at Shaare Zedek and the hospital’s Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator added, “Today’s drill was extremely important in ensuring that we’re ready for all types of possible events. This event was specifically intended to provide an internal review of our capabilities, so as to determine which areas we need to improve on and where we need to enhance our preparedness levels.”