The administration and staff at Rambam Health Care Campus are ready to meet the challenge of treating patients with coronavirus, following a special request from Israel’s Ministry of Health to plan for this possibility. Rambam expects and is prepared to play a key role in caring for these patients.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and after being selected to do so by Israel’s Ministry of Health, Rambam has created the infrastructure required to open a department for receiving patients diagnosed with the virus. Over the past few days, staff from all areas of the hospital have been working to set up the department, which will be located on an isolated floor in the Meyer Building.

Over the course of 48 hours, the teams prepared a dedicated inpatient ward with a separate entrance. Preparations have included the formation of a distinct staff for this department, as well as the establishment of a system and procedures to ensure safe and comprehensive isolation, in accordance with the strict requirements defined by the Ministry of Health.

Once the department opens, it will be hermetically closed off to everyone except the staff operating the department and providing patient care. The multidisciplinary COVID-19 medical teams have been trained to provide the highest quality response, and will receive ongoing briefings and guidance about the required conduct. In addition, many members of the Rambam staff have volunteered to assist the COVID-19 staff as needed. The new department will be activated immediately following inspection approval from the Ministry of Health within the next day or so.

Dr. Michael Halberthal, Director General of Rambam stated, “In recent years, Rambam has successfully faced many challenges thanks to our skilled, professional teams. There is no doubt that the challenge of providing coronavirus medical services to the Israeli public will be carried out with the highest level of dedication and professionalism. It is also important to emphasize that we are taking the strongest possible precautions, ensuring that no Rambam patients or staff will be affected by the activities of this new department.”

Watch the preparations here: https://youtu.be/g_FIclbhKrc

In the photo: Dr. Avi Weissman, Deputy Director of Rambam Health Care Campus, inspects a cart full of supplies for the new department.