Health Ministry Shuts Private Medika Tel Aviv Hospital Over Serious Lapses

The Israeli Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate cessation of all medical activities at the private Medika Tel Aviv Medical Center following a surprise inspection that revealed severe safety violations and potential risks to patient well-being. The ministry's findings, released Tuesday, indicated that nursing staff performed surgical procedures without legal authorization, while anesthesiologists in two operating rooms lacked the required specialization. The inspection also uncovered the illicit use of a cocaine solution, a narcotic drug, posing a significant danger to patients. Unqualified personnel were employed in the operating rooms, failing to meet professional standards. The medical director was absent, and her deputy lacked the necessary knowledge for the role.

Further findings included the falsification of surgical counts, a critical safety procedure where surgical staff verify the number of sponges, needles, and instruments before, during, and after surgery to ensure nothing is left inside a patient. This count was recorded as completed before the surgery even ended. The ministry also identified serious deficiencies in the handling of anesthetic drugs and adherence to infection prevention guidelines, alongside the improper use of cocaine, which is strictly regulated due to its narcotic status. Procedures were performed in minor surgery rooms that were outside the scope of the clinic's operating license.

The ministry concluded that the overall conduct indicated a systemic failure at the clinic, jeopardizing patient health and safety. Consequently, the district health physician issued an order to halt all operations pending further notice. The management, owners, and board of the Medika chain will be summoned for a hearing, and the ministry is considering personal actions against those who performed unauthorized procedures.

In response, Medika Tel Aviv stated that all medical procedures are performed by authorized physicians and in accordance with the law. They asserted that nurses operate within their certified scope of practice, as recognized by leading nursing training centers. The clinic claimed the ministry's decision was based on isolated incidents and pledged to clarify the matters with the Ministry of Health. Medika also highlighted that thousands of surgeries are performed monthly by top Israeli doctors, meeting high medical and safety standards, and suggested the ministry's sweeping decision was based on random findings. This incident follows a previous order in July to halt operations in the operating rooms of another Medika facility, Medika Rafael, due to hygiene and staffing issues, though that order was partially lifted earlier this month.