Perioperative nursing in Israel

Perioperative nursing in Israel's Hadassah Medical Organization hospitals-Ein Kerem and Mt Scopus-reflects quality patient care practices paralleling those in US hospitals. Although these two hospitals, both located in Jerusalem, represent only 5% of the hospital beds in Israel, they receive more than 60% of referrals made to all Israel hospitals. Throughout Israel's tumultuous history, the Hadassah Medical Organization has served the country during both war and peace. In 1991, Mt Scopus was designated as the hospital on duty in case of a chemical attack during the Gulf War. The authors provide an overview of perioperative nursing at the Eln Kerem and Mt Scopus Medical Centers of the Hadassah Medical Organization and describe one American nurse's experience as a volunteer in the Mt Scopus Medical Center OR during the Gulf War.