Medical Care
Ensuring that Holocaust survivors receive the best possible care is at the forefront of our efforts. We work with hospital leaders to ensure that the well-being and recovery of Holocaust survivors are always a top priority.
1. Hospital Emergency departments play a critical role in providing medical care to Holocaust survivors. For Holocaust survivors requiring specialized care, delays in transferring from the Emergency Room to an inpatient bed can have a significant impact on their well-being and recovery. For instance, patients with cardiac conditions, those in need of specialized wound care, and patients suffering from severe sleep apnea require immediate access to the specialized units. Any delay in transferring these patients can jeopardize their chances of receiving timely treatment and recovery. By working together with hospitals we can identify people needing expedited transfers to inpatient beds and intervene if needed.
2. Arranging for inter- or intra-hospital transfers in cases where:
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The current hospital or its department lacks medical professionals specializing in the patient's condition.
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The hospital or its department lacks the necessary medical equipment for the patient's care.
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Holocaust survivors or their family members express concerns about the quality of care received.
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Here are some examples of our advocacy in this area:
1
The Joseph's Case
After a fall, Joseph had to undergo a shoulder replacement surgery. Regrettably, the procedure led to significant complications, resulting in a medical emergency where the shoulder had to be removed. Given this situation, we immediately contacted another hospital recognized for its outstanding orthopedic department. Our work led to cooperation of the hospital leadership in arranging the second surgery, which ultimately proved to be highly successful.
2
The Fred's Case
Fred, a diabetic patient, was initially scheduled for a leg amputation at a hospital in Brooklyn. However, following a request from his family, we successfully facilitated his transfer to a more specialized medical facility. This hospital provided advanced expertise and recommended an alternative treatment approach, ultimately allowing us to prevent the need for a major amputation.
3
The Esther's Case
Esther developed stage IV bedsores due to an extended period of immobility. Unfortunately, the high cost of the advanced Lateral Rotation Mattress and specialized hospital bed required for her condition were financially unattainable for the family. However, with the assistance of medical professionals, we successfully addressed the initial denial from her health insurance. We involved wound care visiting nurses, wound surgeons, and various insurance providers and manufacturers of wound healing equipment. Consequently, all the bed sores were successfully treated and completely healed.
4
The Eileen's Case
Eileen had a major cancer surgery planned, which would require a lengthy recovery period. It was anticipated that she would have limited mobility and would need to rely on a wheelchair for an extended period. Fortunately, a nurse who happened to be a family friend suggested a different doctor with greater expertise in treating Eileen's rare condition. Despite time constraints, we gained the cooperation of the hospital leadership and swiftly transferred Eileen's case to the more experienced doctor. This doctor was able to successfully treat her cancer by performing a less invasive surgery, resulting in a significantly shorter recovery time.
5
The Solomon's Case
Solomon was out for a walk in his neighborhood when he suddenly fainted and fell to the ground. Right after that he started to complain of very bad headaches but had no recollection of what happened to him. After a four-day stay at the local hospital, Solomon was discharged and sent home. However, he continued having the same type of headaches. This led us to suspect that the local hospital misdiagnosed Solomon's condition. We immediately took him to one of the best hospitals where the tests were repeated. To our astonishment, the test results revealed a brain hemorrhage that required an immediate surgery. Given the critical nature of his condition, it was crucial to entrust Solomon’s care to an esteemed neurosurgeon. Thanks to the expertise of this doctor, the emergency brain surgery was successful.
Throughout this challenging ordeal, we managed effective coordination between the hospitals. In order to closely monitor the patient's recovery and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan, we were in constant contact with the surgeon. Thanks to this, Solomon was able to receive excellent care provided by skilled experts, helping him to make a full recovery.
6
The David's Case
To ensure that David receives the correct type of CPAP machine prescribed for his sleep apnea in a timely manner, we arranged for the hospital to switch to a respiratory equipment vendor known for more reliable service.
The real names were not used in the case descriptions above. This has been done to safeguard the privacy of those involved.