Caring for a major government official: challenges and lessons learned

Analysis of the medical, organizational, and administrative issues surrounding the care of a dignitary in an intensive care unit.

On January 4, 2006, Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister was emergently admitted to the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem owing to a severe intracranial hemorrhage. Immediately following his admission, he underwent an extensive neurosurgical procedure to control the bleeding. Thereafter, he required intensive care for 5 months and underwent additional procedures. This admission presented organizational and administrative challenges.

The major challenge was to provide the Prime Minister with the best medical care while avoiding the "very important person syndrome" and simultaneously continuing routine hospital activities. To coordinate his complicated medical management, a consultation forum was established composed of all the physicians directly involved in Mr. Sharon's care. Additionally, a senior intensivist was chosen to coordinate the medical care and, along with a physician from the hospital administration, assist with administrative issues.

Among the issues that the coordinating team addressed, with the help of many other hospital services, included patient confidentiality vs. public information, security of the patient's medical chart (including laboratory data and imaging), and coordination with security personnel.

The acute care of a major governmental official requires the medical staff to address many administrative issues, while providing the "very important person" patient with appropriate intensive medical care. This article presents a strategy for addressing these issues.