Sheba opens Israel’s first emergency room for infants under one year old
Sheba Medical Center has opened what it says is Israel’s first emergency department designed specifically for babies under age one, at the Safra Children’s Hospital. The new unit is meant to give parents a faster, safer and calmer alternative when a baby has a fever, is injured or otherwise needs urgent care. Dr. Oren Feldman, head of emergency medicine at Safra, said the first year of life is the most medically and immunologically sensitive, and that families often arrive frightened by both the child’s condition and the risk of exposure to illness.
The infant ER is physically separated from the children’s emergency room, so babies are less exposed to contagious viral diseases. It also has dedicated appointment slots, softer design elements, changing and nursing areas, and special beds. Feldman said the staff uses infant-specific treatment protocols and limits tests to what is truly necessary, explaining that the challenge is deciding “what to check, when, and how not to burden babies with unnecessary investigations.”
If tests are needed, the team tries to minimize pain and radiation. That includes anesthetic creams, sugar water, and infrared and ultrasound technologies to locate veins, while preferring ultrasound over X-rays whenever possible. The department also aims to shorten time spent in the ER, with decisions and intake handled as quickly as possible, and in some cases families can go home after the workup and receive written instructions through the Sheba Connect app.
Sheba also assigns a family liaison to support parents from arrival to discharge. Orly Druker said her role is to guide and comfort parents, bring coffee, a light meal or supplies if needed, and even accompany the baby to procedures when parents cannot bear to watch. She follows up with families days later, and continues helping if the child is admitted. Caroline Chishin-Betz, Sheba’s vice president for Human Experience, said the infant ER is a unique model that combines clinical excellence with emotional support. The team is already considering future tools, including AI for summarizing conversations and special monitors, to make care even more precise and reassuring.
