The establishment of a clinical protocol for hostages returning from captivity

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Trauma Medicine

Background:

• 105 hostages released to Israeli hospitals following Hamas captivity in Gaza.
• October 7, 2023, marked the initial captivity event.
• Study focuses on the clinical management of returning hostages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment of a clinical protocol for returning hostages.
• To outline procedures for the implementation of the protocol.
• To provide a framework for clinical management of hostages post-captivity.

Main Methods:

• Development of a clinical protocol for hostage care.
• Implementation of the protocol at Shamir Medical Center (SMC).
• Medical evaluations including infectious disease screening, imaging, and specialist consultations.

Main Results:

• 24 returning hostages evaluated at SMC, mostly foreign workers.
• High prevalence of positive tests for Q fever (17.4%), Hepatitis B (30.4%), and STDs (13%).
• Average 10% body weight loss observed; no age-weight correlation found. Mean hospitalization of 5 days.

Conclusions:

• A novel clinical protocol was successfully implemented for returning hostages.
• The protocol provides a framework for sensitive clinical management.
• No significant correlation between age and weight change was identified.