Concerns about a conflict of interest at Hadassah: Gabsen, who works in the orthopedic department at Hadassah hospitals in Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus, is suspected of supplying orthopedic equipment in parallel with his regular work, and that in some cases his colleagues refer patients to him.
It is suspected that in recent years he has provided medical orthopedic equipment to patients referred to him by hospital doctors, despite concerns about appearance. It is suspected that a patient who received a prescription from a doctor at the department was referred directly to Gevsen. Moreover, the price required to be paid elsewhere was much cheaper than the price offered by Gevsen.
A medical official at the hospital claims that there are no ethical or illegal violations in the actions of the doctors and the plasterer, but by referring the purchase to someone who works with them in the department, there is an appearance and concern of a conflict of interest, since the plasterer's main occupation is supposed to be providing medical care to patients and not his side businesses that could affect his judgment and the opinions of his fellow doctors.
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In light of this, the plasterer responded and explained: "The complaints stem from my business problems, and the doctors do not receive any benefit from the referrals." According to him, the price differences stem from the professional reputation he has acquired.
Hadassah spokespeople responded: "Head of the Orthopedics Department, Prof. Iri Libergel, instructed all doctors and nurses in the department that prescriptions for devices are written as open prescriptions [without reference to the place of purchase], without reference to a specific professional or store. Doctors and nurses do not have business cards from any party. However, Hadassah Medical Center CEO Dr. Avigdor Kaplan ordered that the issue be examined immediately.".
