The first group of Ichud Hatzalah (United Hatzalah) volunteers completed a one-year pilot program in Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center in which they learned the ins and outs of the workings of a major emergency room, which differs in many ways from the pre-hospital setting that is the stomping ground of emergency medical service personnel. Rambam Medical Center is also the major trauma center for N. Israel.

Taking part in the ceremony were UH leaders along with Dr. Shlomo Yisraelit, who heads Rambam’s Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Yisraelit praised the program and he urges other hospitals around Israel to follow Rambam’s example towards improving the level of understanding and performance of the UH volunteers as well as creating an improved bond between EMS personnel and emergency room staff.

The volunteers reported for shifts in the emergency room, acting as a liaison between patients and staff, assisting family members of patients, and assisting in treatment where appropriate. By observing and working with emergency room staff the UH volunteers developed an improved understanding of this aspect of patient care while enhancing the relationship between the area volunteers and hospital personnel.

UH Executive Director Ze’ev Kakash had words of praise for Rambam as well as Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman, with the latter showering the UH directorate and Rambam Hospital officials with praise, citing how the two organizations saw an opportunity to improve the day-to-day melding of relationships towards maximizing patient care.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)