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 | Overview of Emergency Medical Preparedness |
Emergency & Trauma
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Americans have benefited from Rabin Medical Center's leading role in developing strategies to prepare for catastrophic events. While the military, law enforcement, and other agencies prepare to meet the threat of a terrorist attack, all victims eventually will seek care from a hospital. Before the world knew of the terrible toll terrorism inflicts on societies, the government of Israel, along with Rabin Medical Center's emergency services, developed strategies to respond to disaster.
The major challenges of medical preparedness for emergencies include:
- Assimilation of knowledge among and in coordination with medical personnel and civic government
- Assuring staff protection while saving lives of contaminated casualties
- Stockpiling vital equipment for emergency use
- Maintaining emergency capabilities over time
Rabin Medical Center is a global leader in developing the capacity to safely assess, decontaminate, and treat victims of terrorist attacks or victims of natural or man-made disasters.
Rabin Medical Center has been designated as one of only six Level I Trauma Centers in Israel. Approximately 1,800 trauma victims are hospitalized annually, 400 of whom receive emergency treatment within the trauma resuscitation room. This unit provides care for major trauma victims, both adult and children, who often find themselves in lifethreatening circumstances.
Due to Rabin Medical Center's reputation for emergency preparedness, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) jointly conducts large scale drills on an ongoing basis evaluating IDF's readiness to evacuate and treat casualties in the event of chemical warfare. This program involves participation of medical, fire, and police departments, as well as the Ministry of Health and Magen David Adom. The hospital also has a plan to operate in the event of attackonitsownfacilities.
American Friends of Rabin Medical Center :: 636 Broadway, Suite 218 :: New York, NY 10012 :: (tel) 212.279.2522 :: (fax) 212.279.0179 :: afrmc@afrmc.org