First in Israel: Home Hospitalization for Children

Yisrael Hayom, Thursday, November 10, 2022

Yesterday, Schneider Children's in Petach Tikva opened a Home Hospitalization Department, the first of its kind in Israel. The department is aimed to accord hospitalization for children where they will stay at home under the supervision of doctors and nurses from the hospital. Initially, children will come to Schneider's ER and after examination, diagnosis and treatment, they will be directly discharged and return home for further care. There are also cases where children are hospitalized for a certain period of time, and then moved home for continued care.

The Department of Home Hospitalization joins the growing trend in Israel where home hospitalization, treatment and rehabilitation of adults is supported by the 4 HMOs and the country's large hospitals: Ichilov in Tel Aviv, Sheba at Tel Hashomer and Levinsohn in Raanana. Other health networks and Maccabi's Beit Halev also offer care in the home.

Yesterday, 11-month-old Gefen Orenstein from Ramat Gan was placed in home hospitalization. She was brought to the ER and after examination, she was found to be suffering from an infection. After receiving antibiotics intravenously, she was discharged for continued care at home under the supervision of a doctor and nurse at Schneider, who will continue to visit her daily to administer intravenous antibiotics. Gefen is the first child to be hospitalized in her home under the umbrella and supervision of Schneider Children's.

Zohar, her mother, said to Yisrael Hayom that "she was diagnosed with an infection in the ER and they suggested home hospitalization instead of remaining in the hospital itself. Of course we agree because it seemed a much better alternative, and at the same time, there is also supervision by the hospital."

The Home Hospitalization Department is headed by Dr. Gilat Livne, Director of Pediatrics A at Schneider, and includes Dr. Lital Yesharim and nurse Tami Barazani who will visit the homes of hospitalized children. Yesterday afternoon, they made their first visit to Gefen's home.

Dr. Orly Weinstein, Deputy CEO and head of the Hospital's Division at Clalit Health Services, added "the establishment of the Pediatric Home Hospitalization Department at Schneider Children's is a revolutionary step and the first of its kind in Israel. It is among the few departments of its kind in the world. Schneider Children's has built an organized program of action which will enable the hospitalization of children in their homes without impacting upon the quality of care and follow-up while supporting the family and ensuring the best place possible for these children to be."

Dr. Gilat Livne, Medical Director of the Home Hospitalization Department, noted that "the first stage of the pilot is to enable 10 patients from 6 months to 18 years, suffering from relatively simple infections, to remain in care at home. The more experience we gain, the broader the spectrum of illnesses we will be able to treat. The treatment children will receive at home will be as excellent as they would receive in Schneider, yet they will be able to remain in their natural and safe environment. We are sure that home hospitalization will vastly improve the well-being of children and the entire family."
Ms. Nurit Baruch, Director of the Nursing Division at Schneider Children's, said that "hospitalizing children at home is a natural and sure step that will change the face of pediatrics. In order for the endeavor to succeed, the hospital's experienced team has undergone specialized training in order to provide appropriate and individual home medical and nursing care according the highest standards. I anticipate very high levels of satisfaction from the patients themselves, their parents and the attending staff."