Page 2 - The Frances and Nathan Kirsh Emergency Department

Dear Kirsh Family,

We hope this note finds you well despite the trying times in which we all find ourselves.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has brought with it a new and challenging reality. The healthcare system is at the forefront of the
battle against the virus and must also continue to provide the best medical treatment available to all patients—those with COVID-19 and
those with other diseases and conditions.
The treatment of COVID-19 patients is particularly challenging due to the need to minimize the exposure of the medical staff to patients to
prevent the spread of infection and ensure the survival of the healthcare system itself.
With the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Frances and Nathan Kirsh Emergency Department has remained at the forefront of referrals
to Soroka and vital emergency care. It has continued to meet the challenge and provide treatment in line with the scope of morbidity.
Throughout the crisis, during the peak of the first wave, the period when infections rates began to decrease, and now, as, unfortunately,
Israel is currently experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 morbidity and every day the number of new diagnosed patients is increasing the
staff of the Emergency Department has remained highly aware of the importance of identifying COVID-19 patients and providing them with
optimal care while ensuring the safety of staff members and other patients.
In order to guarantee that we are able to address the challenges before us in the best way possible, Soroka has prepared in a variety of ways,
including the following:
• Soroka was the first medical center in Israel to open a respiratory ER and a special track that makes it possible to isolate patients with

respiratory symptoms who may test positive for the coronavirus in order to prevent the infection of other patients and staff in the
Emergency Department. This model has since been adopted by other hospitals in Israel.
• Three tents were erected in the outdoor plaza of the Frances and Nathan Kirsh Emergency Department to provide an optimal response
to the growing number of patients, reduce the number of patients in each area, and separate the various sections of the Emergency
Department as far as possible. A team established by one of our department heads who previously served in an elite Israel Defense Forces
(IDF) unit together with other Soroka staff who served in an IDF elite reconnaissance unit (students/doctors/paramedics) led the way in the
establishment of this special compound.