The establishment of a clinical protocol for hostages returning from captivity

As part of a hostage-prisoner exchange negotiation, 105 hostages were released to hospitals throughout Israel for treatment after being taken into captivity by Hamas to the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. The aim of this study is to describe the establishment of a clinical protocol for hostages returning from captivity.

The process of the creation of procedures for implementation of and the clinical protocol itself is described.

A total of 24 returning hostages arrived at Shamir Medical Center (SMC); all were foreign workers and all but one were from the same nationality. The majority group of 23 returning hostages from the same nationality received testing for Q-fever, Hepatitis B, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Orthopedic, dermatological, and ear nose and throat (ENT) consultation, chest and limb X-rays, head and abdominal CT scans, and antibiotics were also utilized by the 23 returning hostages of the same nationality. The returning hostage from a different nationality of origin utilized consults with an ENT, underwent a hearing test, and tests for Q-fever, urine toxicology, Hepatitis B and HIV. Among the group of 23 hostages from the same nationality of origin, the mean percentage loss of body weight was 10%±10%. No correlation was found between age and change in weight (rho = -0.227; p = 0.350). In addition, 17.4% tested positive for Q fever, 30.4% tested positive for Hepatitis B and 13% tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease. They spent a mean of 5 ± 1 days hospitalized. The sole hostage of different nationality of origin lost 15% of his body weight, tested positive for Q fever and spent 3 days hospitalized. Consults with social workers and dietitians, translators and COVID-19 tests were used by all returning hostages.

In this study, no significant correlation was found between age and change in weight among returning hostages. This novel clinical protocol was successfully utilized in real-time and may serve as a framework for the complex and sensitive clinical management of returning hostages, in case of need.

Not Applicable.