Kaplan Medical Center Reports Suspected Unconsented Blood Draws for Research

Kaplan Medical Center has filed a police complaint following suspicions of improper conduct in a research study conducted within its cardiology department. The hospital's administration reported that blood was allegedly drawn from patients without their consent as part of laboratory research.

In response to the allegations, the head of the cardiology department, Prof. Kobi George, has been suspended from his position. The hospital's management has also immediately informed the Ministry of Health about the suspicions and the actions taken.

This investigation into the cardiology department follows a previous incident approximately two months ago. At that time, a resident physician revealed that Prof. Kobi George had allegedly allowed cardiology residents to skip parts of their training by falsifying hospital records. This led the Israel Medical Association to revoke the hospital's accreditation for training cardiology residents as long as Prof. George was part of the department's staff.

The Ministry of Health and Clalit Health Services, which owns Kaplan Hospital, had previously established a review committee in light of the training scandal. Kaplan Medical Center stated that medical activities in the cardiology department are continuing, ensuring patient care continuity and safety.

Prof. Kobi George's representative stated that he is cooperating with the investigation and believes the issue involves alleged procedural errors in research record-keeping that require lessons learned, rather than anything more serious. They expressed hope that the truth will emerge and that the cardiology department, its staff, and patients will not be unduly harmed.