"Overcrowding in private hospitals causes errors": In light of the suspicion of additional malfunctions in Assuta Hospital's fertility system, a discussion on the issue was held today (Monday) with the participation of experts from the field in the Health Committee, who claimed that diverting patients to private hospitals caused a burden that is difficult to meet.
"Unfortunately, almost every week we are exposed to reports of serious malfunctions in IVF treatments, and this raises serious suspicions of poor professional conduct. We will use all parliamentary tools to reduce the recurrence of such cases," the chairman of the health committee said in a discussion held following the recent mishaps at Assuta.
Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Head of the Health Ministry's Medical Division: "Assuter Ramat Hachayal, Assuta Rishon LeZion, Herzliya Medical Center and Elisha in Haifa carry out about 60% of fertilization activity. In the private setting, the patient chooses the therapist. We want to allow couples to choose the therapist, it doesn't exist in many of the services. In light of the need for trust and the relationship between the couple and the doctor, there is a need to tilt in this direction."
Prof. Raul Orvieto, Director of Sheba's IVF Unit, pointed the finger at the Arrangements Law of 2017, which allowed fertility treatments to be performed in private hospitals while choosing a doctor funded by the state. "Mistakes happen in 0.1% of everything we do. Most of the mistakes - because of the human factor. A person who works, tired and distracted. A million reasons that can happen. There is a congestion in the units that stems mainly from the Arrangements Law, which came out of this building. The very fact that the basket was blocked to private hospitals led to overload. It was the load that caused the mistakes."
Dr. Tal Shavit, Director of the IVF Unit at Assuta Ramat HaHayal, commented on the suspected malfunction being examined: "The report has not yet been verified and it is unclear whether or not there was an incident. Initial tests did not find a malfunction or unusual event at Assuta.
We are the first in Israel to introduce the systems that were talked about. We invest heavily in increasing the quality and safety of care."
Prof. Galia Oron, Director of the IVF Unit at Carmel Hospital, noted that couples can also be allowed to choose the attending physician in the public units: "The shift to private units created this burden, and it started with the Arrangements Law. At Carmel Hospital, we submitted a model to the Ministry of Health – we introduced the option of choosing a doctor. We increased activity from 300 to 650. We are certainly open to increased activity and choosing a doctor. Technology can't compete with the human factor."
MK Tatiana Mazarsky said during the discussion: "The Health Ministry needs to supervise and manage. There is a cardamom but what is the process of supervision? I know you did a commission of inquiry, but what conclusions did you draw? There is a report from two months ago regarding Assuta Rishon. The role of the Health Committee is to supervise. We would be happy to receive the report."
At the end of the discussion, Bosso asked to receive within 45 days the Health Ministry's examination report on the deficiencies in Assuta Rishon: "The committee took note of the Health Ministry's announcement of the steps currently being taken. The committee calls for increased supervision, for clarification of procedures for IVF units regarding the work of laboratories and reporting instructions."
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