Health Ministry Shuts Private Tel Aviv Hospital Over Serious Safety Violations

The Israeli Ministry of Health ordered the immediate closure of the private "Medika Tel Aviv" medical center on Monday, citing severe systemic failures and immediate risks to patient safety. The decision followed an unannounced inspection conducted on Thursday, which revealed multiple critical violations.

According to the Ministry's findings, nursing staff performed surgical procedures without legal authorization, and anesthesiologists in two operating rooms were not certified specialists as required. Unqualified personnel were employed in operating rooms, the medical director was absent, and her deputy lacked the necessary expertise. Procedures were carried out in rooms designated for minor surgery that were outside the clinic's registration certificate. The inspection also found that surgical counts of gauze, needles, and instruments were falsified, with records indicating completion before surgeries ended, undermining validation and control processes.

Further violations included the improper use of cocaine solution, a controlled narcotic drug, and significant deficiencies in the handling of anesthetic drugs, contrary to infection prevention guidelines. The Ministry stated it views any deviation from safety regulations with extreme gravity and will use all available tools to protect patient health.

Medika Tel Aviv responded by asserting that thousands of surgeries are performed monthly by leading Israeli doctors, adhering to strict medical and safety standards. They emphasized the trust placed in them by doctors and patients as evidence of their quality care. The hospital management stated they take the findings seriously and will address any identified deficiencies, reiterating that patient safety and quality of care are their top priorities. They also claimed that all medical actions are performed by licensed doctors and in accordance with the law, with nurses operating strictly within their authorized scope and training. Medika stated that any specific cases requiring clarification would be presented to the Ministry of Health.