The family of Eli Hurvitz disputes Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer's version about the circumstances of his death last week. Hurvitz's daughter, Dr. Vered Shalev-Hurvitz said today that the hospital's description of events prior to her father's death did not reflect his actual treatment in the internal medicine and emergency care wards, and calls for an independent inquiry.
Dr. Shalev-Hurvitz was responding to a statement by Sheba director Dr. Zeev Rothstein, who informed hospital employees of the main findings of the inquiry into Hurvitz's treatment. He stated, "Eli Hurvitz was admitted to Internal Medicine Ward 6 at 2 am last Saturday night. He was suffering from an illness that damaged his immune system and left him vulnerable to infections… His condition appeared good, he was conscious and cooperated with the team. His only comment was, 'Please, treat me like any other patient. I am an ordinary man.'"
Dr. Rothstein concluded, "During his treatment at the intensive care ward, Eli's condition improved, but there was another outbreak of infections causing a severe deterioration in his condition, and despite a series of special and energetic treatments by the medical staff, it was not possible to save him. The rapid and partial inquiry we conducted found no failure in the chain of treatment of Mr. Eli Hurvitz."
Dr. Shalev-Hurvitz said, "I believe that an external team should be set up to examine the issue independently and fairly, more than the superficial inquiry conducted, in order to disclose the truth and learn lessons. To my regret and pain, my father cannot be revived, but I hope that similar cases of failed conduct and inhuman attitudes by the medical team toward an elderly man will not be repeated."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 27, 2011
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