The opening of the Electrophysiology Unit and the Emergency Cardiac Catheterization Site

On 01/21/2010 the new Electrophysiology Unit and the Emergency Cardiac Catheterization site was inaugurated with the presence of distinguished guests, the management and employees of Barzilai Medical Center.
Prof. Amos Katz, Head of the Cardiology Complex in his words during the ceremony:
"Distinguished guests, colleagues and friends. We are opening now the Electrophysiology Unit, another step in the chain of innovative means of treatment available at Barzilai Medical Center for patients in our region.
The Cardiology Complex at Barzilai Medical Center has gone through revolutionary changes in recent years in terms of its therapeutic capabilities. In addition to physicians and high quality paramedical staff that characterized the cardiologic service, several systems and diagnostic and therapeutic facilities equipped with innovative means were added, putting the Barzilai Cardiology Complex at the first line of cardiology departments and complexes in Israel and worldwide.
Recently the cardiac catheterization system was replaced by a new Philips system; new echocardiography devices were purchased including 3D echocardiogram; a new treadmill system was purchased for the non-invasive cardiology unit; and the monitoring equipment at the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit and in the Cardiology Unit was replaced.
A saying of Hazal - Our Sages of Blessed Memory – can be an analogue to workplace. Three things enlarge a man's mind – handsome woman, beautiful tools and nice house". Obviously the workplace does not replace the medical staff members' spouses, but sometimes we spend a long time at the workplace. A nice house means the beautiful cardiology house in which we work that will become even nicer in the future and the beautiful tools are the new and innovative equipment we have just received.
"It can be said about the wonderful staff, from the assisting aid, through paramedical staff, nursing staff and doctors that indeed the phrase "wonderful people in marvelous machines" refers to them.
The work that is done at the Cardiology Complex is highly skilled and professional through all phases of treatment mainly due to the skilled staff, its commitment and the new equipment we have received.
The Electrophysiology Unit and the Electrophysiological Catheterization room will be used to diagnose, treat and follow-up of several types of arrhythmias and heart rate disturbances. The room is a multi-functional unit and is located in the shielded area of the medical center so during war times or rocket attacks can continue providing therapy to heart patients, including cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty during myocardial infarcts and arrhythmia therapy.
The Electrophysiology Unit, headed by Dr. Helmaizer, which has just received the newest and best modern equipment, continues to function in full rhythm. For example, during 2009, 576 procedures were performed, among them transplantation of pacemakers and defibrillations, including dual-chambers – CRT, electrophysiology studies and ablations. The unit is one of the leading ones in this area in Israel and worldwide and in the field of transplanting CRT systems, many physicians from all over the world attend the unit for advanced study.
The Electrophysiology catheterization room was established in record-breaking speed of 4 months with the help and assistance of the medical center management, the nursing staff who worked day and night and the medical center technical staff.
As mentioned, we are willing to go on and in future planning, one of these days we will open the cardiology floor, for which part of the project donations we already received and the planning procedures are at advanced stage".   

Cutting the ribbon: Dr. Scharf, Prof. Amos Katz, Prof. Sofer and Dr. Helmaizer