USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1938 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
197
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
Increased Budget
These recommendations will cause an increase in the budget for 1939, but it seems very urgent that these additions be made.
Active Staff
The Board of Managers appreciates the whole-hearted co-opera- tion of the Staff. We appreciate the time and energy they have given to Service patients during the year. Also our congratulations are in order for their newly formed Staff Rules and Regulations.
Administrative Staff
The Board of Managers wishes to take this opportunity to commend the excellent work of our Superintendent, Dr. Joseph P. Leone, and his capable assistants, whose loyalty and con- scientious service have helped so much to make the work of the Board of Managers pleasant and easier to accomplish.
Co-operative Agencies
The Board of Managers wishes to thank the various agencies that have co-operated so effectively with Hospital Aid. We also wish to express our appreciation to His Honor, the Mayor, all Members of the City Council, all other City Departments, and to the Quincy Patriot Ledger; for the splendid spirit of helpfulness and co-operation given to the Hospital throughout the year 1938.
Board of Managers
GUY W. HART, Chairman,
MRS. T. NEWELL LANE, MR. J. BROOKS KEYES, MR. FRANKLIN S. NICHOLS, MR. JAMES F. REYNOLDS, Secretary.
.
198
CITY OF QUINCY
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL
STATISTICAL REPORT
1937
Patients in hospital January 1
140 6,281
1938 174 6,298
Patients admitted during the year
Total
6,421
6,472
Male patients admitted
2,565
2,463
Female patients admitted
3,716
3,835
Total
6,281
6,298
Patients admitted to Medical Service
1,119
1,094
Patients admitted to Surgical Service
3,359
3,321
Patients admitted to Obstetrical Service
920
955
Number of babies born
883
928
Total
6,281
6,298
Private patients admitted
1,416
1,392
Private ward patients admitted
2,797
2,671
Service patients admitted
2,068
2,235
Total
6,281
6,298
Paying patients admitted
5,434
5,535
Part-paying patients admitted
471
93
Free patients admitted
240
224
Welfare patients admitted
136
446
Total
6,281
6,298
Largest number in hospital any one day
224
235
Smallest number in hospital any one day ..
131
130
Daily average number of patients
181
183
Average number of patients admitted daily.
17
17
Total number of days' treatment
65,783
66,798
Operations
4,076
4,511
Outpatients
4,982
6,910
Accidents
1,630
1,702
Copies of hospital records sent to attorneys and insurance companies
248
200
Receipts for copies of records
$576.
$515.
199
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
DISCHARGE RECORD AND SERVICE ANALYSIS January 1, 1938-December 31, 1938
Discharges 2,448
Male
Female
3,819
Total discharges
6,267
Recovered
1,215
Improved
4,449
Not improved
224
Not treated
117
Died, under 48 hours
83
Died, over 48 hours
156
Stillborn
23
Total
6,267
Autop- Consulta-
Service Analysis
No. of Cases 806 1,056
Deaths 114 26
sies
tions
Medicine
40
461
Surgical
11
299
Obstetrics
delivered
914
3
1
43
undelivered
70
0)
0
9
newborn infants
928
46
11
20
Gynecology
328
2
2
58
Aural
1,099
2
0
59
Urology
131
5
0
84
Orthopedic
26
0
0
19
Pediatric
177
22
13
80
Dermatology
18
0
0
6
Traumatic
583
24
3
443
Tumor
131
18
4
56
Totals
6.267
262
85
1,637
1938
Cases Treated
Amount
Welfare.
426
$14,969.86
Old Age Assistance
82
5,757.25
Mothers' Aid
26
691.25
School Cases
83
715.00
Abatement and Free Cases
707
32,684.46
Dominion and Free Cases
294
9,471.28
Nurses and Internes
5,200.27
Employees
1,524.45
Total
$71,013.82
200
CITY OF QUINCY
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL Financial Statement 1938
RECEIPTS
1937
1938
Private Room
$ 49,209.70
$ 51,481.09
Ward Private
52,673.52
44,355.10
Regular Service
28,814.53
18,905.54
Obstetrical
40,424.55
40,423.17
Operating Room
16,815.60
17,081.61
X-Ray
15,325.43
14,823.90
Ambulance
3,593.05
3,239.82
Medical & Surgical Supplies
2.038.81
2,947.54
Board of Special Nurses
4,006.00
4,035.20
Telephone
440.60
(9 mos.)
728.22
Physiotherapy
2,565.00
3,148.05
Laboratory
10,858.13
11,783.63
Delivery Room
4,999.00
4,777.00
Miscellaneous
2,011.06
1,447.50
Income-Endowment Funds
3,800.00
3,500.00
$237,574.98
$222,677.37
Refunded to patients
859.44
1,368.92
Total
$236,715.54
$221,308.45
EXPENDITURES
1937
1938
Salaries and Wages:
Administration Officers and Clerks
$ 21,526.20
$ 24,380.77
Telephone Operators
4,581.88
4,707.60
Supt. of Nurses, Instrs., Chge.
Nurses, etc.
105,516.96
113,305.58
Internes
760.00
935.00
Physical Therapy
4,376.66
4,660.00
Orderlies
7,131.26
7,171.76
X-Ray
5,192.91
5,345.87
Ambulance
4,474.52
4,363.49
Housekeeping and Kitchen
56,677.74
58,939.39
Laundry
7,745.47
7,776.57
Maintenance-Property and Power Plant
9,414.56
9,412.44
Care of Grounds
1,332.08
1,345.24
Laboratory
6,357.76
6,253.27
Total Pay Roll
$235,088.00
$248,596.98
Other Expenses :
General Administration
$ 6,655.29
$ 6,112.62
Medical and Surgical
26,000.66
31,438.40
X-Ray
5,245.87
3,978.40
Ambulance and Social Service
731.05
929.73
Nurses Equipment
1,336.05
1,108.74
Housekeeping and Kitchen
16,062.56
13,468.93
Laundry
951.36
1,017.51
Groceries
20,468.32
18,781.51
201
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
Butter and Eggs
7,932.62
6,688.84
Milk and Cream
11,111.94
10,915.64
Fruit and Vegetables
6,459.58
6,267.29
Meats, Poultry and Fish
19,500.47
15,993.98
Coal and Wood
10,458.50
10,551.41
Electricity and Gas
7,491.56
7,673.26
Transportation and Express
190.27
62.85
Commissions
3,236.58
3,341.41
Repairs to Building and Plant.
10,415.39
12,775.62
Postage
600.00
650.00
Petty Expenses
190.68
167.52
Insurance
285.33
314.45
Rent
675.00
780.00
$155,999.08
$153,018.11
Total Expenditures
$391,087.08
$401,615.09
Pensions
$
2,002.00
$
2,168.25
New Equipment
$ 11,998.17
$ 6,874.09
Travel Out of State
$ 110.45
$ 219.55
202
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital: GENTLEMEN :
Fourth Report
It is my privilege to submit to you my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938, this being my fourth report in a little over three years as superintendent of the Quincy City Hospital.
Hospital Work Increases
A glance at the figures of the work done at the hospital in the various departments shows an increase in every instance. More patients were admitted resulting in a greater number of treat- ments and examinations in the Physical Therapy, Laboratory, X-ray, and other departments.
High Lights in Hospital Activities for 1938
January Nurses' Infirmary transformed into five single rooms for nurses.
Completion of corridor between MS-3 and Hunting-3 by W. P. A.
February
Debut of the Nurses' Alumnae News Bulletin.
March Establishment of a central Purchasing Department at City Hall.
Affiliation with Butler Hospital for Psychiatric Nurs- ing and with Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for our School of Nursing.
Resignation of Mrs. Mollie Michelman, head dietitian, and appointment of Miss Laura Wendt to that position.
Quincy City Hospital well represented at the Massa- chusetts Association and New England Hospital As- sociation meetings on March 10, 11, and 12.
April
Second Annual Hospital Ball goes over the top with $342.00 profit for the Social Service Fund.
Tumbler washing machine replaced in Laundry. Cafeteria installed in Nurses' Dining Room.
Sound proofing material installed in Hunting-1 and corridors adjoining Operating Room.
Installation of ice cream freezer and storage cabinet in the Kitchen.
May MC building dedicated as The Nathaniel S. Hunting Building in memory of the late Dr. Nathaniel S. Hunting.
National Hospital Day observed on May 12th.
203
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
June
Attendance at the Institute for Hospital Administra- tors by second assistant superintendent.
July Resignation of Mrs. Hilda LaRocca, head of Social Service Department.
August
Purchase of a short wave diathermy for Physio- Therapy Department.
Installation of a new obstetric table for Delivery Room.
Purchase of a new potato peeler, a new frialator, and a forty gallon soup kettle for the Main Kitchen.
September Approval of plans for new addition to the Nurses' Home.
Replacement of 1935 Ford with a 1937 Ford sedan for the Social Service Department.
Approval of the Quincy City Hospital by the American College of Surgeons.
October Members of the administrative staff attend hospital sessions held by the Massachusetts Hospital Associa- tion in Boston.
November Appointment of a Quincy City Hospital Alumna to the School of Nursing Advisory Committee.
December New Staff By-laws, Rules and Regulations adopted. Ground broken for new addition to the Nurses' Home.
Accident Cases on the Increase
Although the city statistics available in Quincy pointed to fewer automobile accidents for this past year, the hospital records regis- tered an increase in the number of accident cases treated. This increase is perhaps due to accidents occurring in the home. This year completes one full year wherein the Quincy City Hospital has cooperated with the Quincy School Department in dealing with accidents occurring in the public schools and playgrounds, and accidents resulting from athletic contests. The children are now immediately transported to the hospital where first aid and emergency treatments are given, and when indicated the necessary X-rays are taken. The cases are then referred to the family physician of the patients for further treatment and follow-up work. In 1938, eighty-two school children were given treatment at the hospital costing $505.50.
New Administration Building
The new Administration Building has been in use since April 23, 1937. Little do we realize that well over 15,000 people visited this beautiful building during the year, not including the many thousands of patients admitted and discharged through its offices, nor those admitted for X-ray, laboratory, physio-therapy and other departmental services.
204
CITY OF QUINCY
Accomodations for Resident Staff
Accommodations are now available on the third floor of this building for twelve house officers and one resident physician, with comfortable bed rooms, necessary toilet facilities, a kitchenette, and a game room. Unfortunately, it is customary in many hospitals to house internes in attics, basements, and other out of the way places. Only in the past several years have hospital authorities given thought to the welfare and comfort of their resident staff. The American Medical Association has helped to promote a better understanding among hospital authorities for the need of more adequate housing facilities. We are happy to announce that the Quincy City Hospital is now among those hospitals that provide their house officers with comfortable living quarters.
On the second floor are located living accommodations for the superintendent, consisting of one bed room, guest room, combina- tion living and dining room, and kitchenette; a two room suite for the assistant superintendent; two room suite for the two admitting officers; and a one room suite for two night supervisors. The Medical Library and Conference Room is also on this floor.
The first floor accommodates all the executive offices-superin- tendent and assistant superintendent's offices, admitting office, bookkeeping office, information desk and telephone switchboard, office of the School of Nursing, lobby and main waiting room, private waiting room for visitors, staff cloak room.
Alumnae Shoppe
In the basement are located patients' library, office for the dietitian, social service department, ambulance drivers' quarters, rest room for nurses, rest and locker room for clerical staff, paint shops, and the Alumnae Shoppe. The latter has met a long- felt need in rendering services to patients' relatives as well as to patients, nurses and other members of our staff, by serving noon day lunches, mid-morning meals, and providing services offered by a "general store". The profits for the first year in this shoppe more than exceeded the expectations of the officers of the Alumnae Association. These funds will furnish a scholarship for Quincy nurses.
Private-Municipal Hospital
This year it is advisable to bring to your attention and to the citizens of Quincy that we have a unique situation as far as hospitals go in the country. We have a municipal hospital in the sense that the operating expenses are paid by the city, through its taxpayers, as a city department. In other cities, only the indi- gent and acute infectious cases are treated at their city hospitals, the expense being met by the taxpayers, and even though patients able to pay attend private hospitals, nevertheless they must still support through taxation the municipal hospital in their com- munity. In Quincy all citizens, paying, part-free, free and wel- fare cases, benefit from the services rendered at its city hospital, necessitating the support of one general hospital.
205
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
Future of Hospitals
Private hospitals report that large gifts by private individuals and organizations "are not what they used to be," consequently hospital boards are experiencing difficulty in meeting expenses in the face of greater demands for hospital services. Because of these difficulties and the fact that great progress is being made along social security lines, old age, and socialized medicine, the future of private hospitals is uncertain. Whether the hospitals of the future will be supported by the Federal Government, the state or municipality, is the question.
New Addition to Nurses' Home
For many years we have needed more housing facilities for our nursing staff. At last our need will be fulfilled since federal and municipal funds have been made available to build an addition to the present Nurses' Home. We are indebted to the Board of Managers, His Honor, Mayor Thomas S. Burgin, and all the mem- bers of the City Council of 1938 for their understanding of this problem and for their cooperation in making possible this addition.
Ample Facilities in New Addition
The new addition will be built onto the further end of the Nurses' Home on Whitwell Street. in "L" fashion in the direction towards the present hospital buildings. It will house seventy-eight nurses and will include classrooms, laboratories, laundry and kit- chenette in the basement; library and study hall on the first floor; nurses' infirmary on the second floor; and administrative suites on each floor. The fourth floor will house all the night nurses. Neces- sary changes will be made in the present home. It is hoped to dedicate the new addition on National Hospital Day, May 12th.
National Hospital Day
Again the Quincy City Hospital received honorable mention from the American Hospital Association for its successful observance of National Hospital Day in Quincy for 1938. Well over 1500 citizens of Quincy availed themselves of the opportunity to visit and in- spect our hospital.
Teamwork Between Medical & Administrative Staffs
The relationship between the medical and the administrative staffs has been a most pleasant one this past year. The revision of the staff by-laws, rules and regulations has helped considerably in the management of the hospital, especially in professional mat- ters. The Executive Committee met regularly with the superin- tendent and has contributed many suggestions and recommenda- tions to the administration and Board of Managers in matters pertaining to professional care of our patients.
Dr. Macleod Promoted
During this past year, Dr. John M. Macleod submitted his resignation from the Active Medical Staff in accordance with the new rules and by-laws of the staff. He completes twenty-three
206
CITY OF QUINCY
years of faithful service to the hospital and to the citizens of Quincy. At this time we wish to express our sincere appreciation for this splendid service.
President of Staff Completes Two Years
Dr. Cornelius Lynch was retired as president of the staff after two years of leadership. During his regime, the attendance at staff meetings improved and the Clinical Pathological Conferences were inaugurated. Dr. Lynch will continue in his good work as a mem- ber of the Executive Committee for the coming year. His help and suggestions in the management of staff problems has been deeply appreciated.
Associated Hospital Service of Mass.
The Quincy City Hospital was the forty-second hospital in Massachusetts to join the Blue Cross. It has meant a great deal to Quincy residents who have been members of the Associated Hospital Service to come to our hospital and have their hospital bills paid by this association. This plan has meant that more hospital bills were paid. For the past several months, the hospital has received over $1,000 a month for Blue Cross cases. A similar plan concerning ward care is about to be inaugurated which will include employees within the limited income group. Many of these patients who would ordinarily be entered as ward cases, may as members of the Blue Cross be entered as private ward patients.
Mrs. LaRocca Resigns
For five years Mrs. Hilda LaRocca served as director of our Social Service Department, during which time she was of val- uable service to our hospital. Mrs. LaRocca resigned in July to take up her residence in New Hampshire. Since then Miss Ruth Darr, assistant social worker, has carried on ably as acting di- rector.
Social Service Committee
Under the able leadership of Mrs. Malcolm Sargent, the Social Service Committee has been a great help to the hospital. As a re- sult of the Hospital Ball, sponsored by this committee, over four hundred dollars have been raised. These funds have been used by the superintendent's office to furnish special nursing care for acutely ill ward patients. Blood donors have been made available and splints have also been provided for these patients. We hope that this committee will continue with their good work so that our hospital may render still greater services to the citizens of our community.
Donations Increase
There were a larger number of donations to the hospital during 1938. The list of donors appears at the end of this report. Es- pecially do I wish to mention the gifts of two fracture beds, an invalid walker, several over-bed tables, a portable suction pump,
207
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
and a few bedside lamps. These articles are deeply appreciated by our patients. We hope that many more friends will present similar gifts for the coming year.
Co-operation Prevalent in All Departments
The management of a hospital in itself is a difficult task, there- fore it is essential not only to have the cooperation of the Medical Staff, the hospital personnel and Board of Managers but also the sympathetic understanding and cooperation. of our city officials, City Council and the citizens of Quincy. To a great extent this cooperation has been made possible with the aid of our local press, the Quincy Patriot Ledger, Quincy social and welfare agencies and the Police Department. To all these organizations, we extend our sincere appreciation.
Organizations
To the many clubs, churches and civic organizations, we ex- press our thanks for the gifts and the cooperation they have given the hospital this past year.
W. P. A.
To Mr. Patrick Duggan, who is in charge of W. P. A. and N. Y. A. in Quincy, we express our thanks for the help he has rendered us.
Superintendent Grateful
The work entailed in sending away many satisfied patients and relatives would not be possible without the understanding and willing cooperation of the members of the Board of Managers, our doctors, nurses, and all the employees of other hospital depart- ments. It has been a joy and a pleasure to me to be associated with them and my assistants, and to whom I wish to express my sincere thanks.
Motto For 1939
May we all prosper in good health so that we may render more and better service to all whom we serve at the hospital for the coming year.
Needs of the Hospital
1. Nurses' dining room in service building.
2. Enclosure of porches off the wards and the Children's Ward.
3. Suction therapy machine-cost $600.
4. A resuscitator-cost $450.
5. Establishment of a special nurses' fund for worthy patients.
6. Over-bed tables-cost $27 each.
7. Bedside lamps-cost $14 each.
8. Installation of modern sterilizing equipment.
9. Installation of a solution room in Pharmacy.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH P. LEONE, M.D. Superintendent.
208
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND NURSING SERVICE
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
A School of Nursing has functioned in this hospital for a period of forty-nine years. The new year ahead will mark the beginning of a half century of service and growth. A comparison of the ob- jectives of the school in its beginning with those of the present day would be of interest. Unfortunately there is little historical data available for purposes of comparison.
Changing Objectives
The objectives of a school are necessarily governed by the type of service its graduates are expected to render. In early years, private-duty nursing in the home absorbed practically all nurses who graduated from the so-called training school. Today we have two other important branches of nursing for which students must be given an adequate basic preparation. There is Public Health Nursing with emphasis upon health teaching, as well as the numer- ous institutional positions which also require capable teachers. Therefore, as the trend in nursing has changed, so it follows that objectives for schools of nursing have changed.
Fifty Years Ago and Now
It would be safe to assume that in 1889 only mature young wo- men, between 22 and 35 years of age, were admitted to the school for the period of "training". This is in contrast to the young women entering our school today who, in most instances, are recent high school graduates and seldom more than 18 years of age. All too frequently they are unaccustomed to responsibilities and plan- ning and inexperienced in the simple duties of homemaking.
In earlier years the more mature student would have demonstra- ted a greater degree of poise than does the average student 18 years of age. Pleasing personality and sterling character are still essential for success and leadership in nursing.
It is, therefore, evident that the faculty today must be able to recognize the needs of these younger students and be qualified to meet their needs through effective teaching and individual guid- ance. The head nurse and instructor, as the school teacher, has come to realize that no two students fall into the same pattern.
History indicates that the development of a high degree of mechanical skill was considered essential in nursing, and it is grati- fying to note that we also place great emphasis upon the develop- ment of skill in nursing techniques. To that end we have been gradually outlining the nursing procedures so that they will be available in each ward for convenient reference.
In early years it was likely that the student nurses were re- sponsible for all the nursing care given in the hospital. A simple program of studies was in vogue at that time, the students had a longer working day, the type of treatments for the patient were less numerous and complicated, and there were few or no students
209
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
away for affiliation. Under those conditions it is reasonable to ex- pect that a group of more mature students could carry the nursing service of the hospital.
Nursing Keeps Step with Medicine
Today, research in medical science has brought an ever changing and more complicated type of treatment for the patient. The quan- tity of nursing care necessary for every department has increased and more hours of skilled nursing service must be provided for the acutely ill patient.
It follows that, if careful nursing is to be done, the planned pro- gram of studies must keep step with the new developments in medical science. Students have to attend classes or clinics at hours which are inconvenient for the ward service. The corps of graduate staff nurses is employed to supplement the student service and to cover the class periods.
Optimum Standards for Hospital Nursing Service
In staffing our wards, we endeavor to follow the recommenda- tions of the average hourly allowance of nursing care per patient for twenty-four hours. These recommendations are based on scien- tific time studies and represent optimum standards for hospital nursing service. We have found that whenever we fall below the average allowance of three to three-and-one-half hours of nursing care for each adult ward patient in twenty-four hours that we do not give satisfactory service to either the patient or the doctor. The allowance for adult private patients is from four to four-and- one-half hours in twenty-four hours. These allowances cannot be arbitrary and exceptions must be made in any case where the acutely ill patient does not have his own private nurse.
A sudden and widely fluctuating patient census presents a pro- blem in providing a balanced nursing service at all times. The past winter, a high incidence of illness among the graduate staff and students, together with the heavy vacation period in the sum- mer, tended to throw the nursing service off balance and increase costs. These, as well as other exigencies, have to be met as they arise.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.