Isr Med Assoc J
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Analysis of the trends in psychiatric admissions and discharges is necessary to correctly plan and distribute resources, especially given the current international climate of "deinstitutionalization." Israel, too, is implementing "reform" in the national psychiatric system - to transfer psychiatric treatment from a hospital to a community setting. ⋯ Various factors may account for these developments. Protracted hospitalizations may be reduced through changes in various aspects of treatment planning and psychiatric care continuum. The decrease in number of admissions, length of stay and number of chronically admitted patients remains in line with international practices. Particular attention needs to be devoted to planning and funding so that availability of community services matches reduction in psychiatric hospitalization.
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The Pediatric Advanced Life Support course of the American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics was established in Israel in 1994 and has since been presented to over 3,108 medical and paramedical personnel. ⋯ PALS was successfully delivered to a large number of healthcare providers in various professional groups with very good overall achievements and high participant satisfaction. It significantly increased participants' knowledge of pediatric resuscitation. We therefore recommend the PALS course as an educational tool in Israel.