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 1939 > Part 12
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Male patients discharged
2,718
Female patients discharged
3,947
Total discharges
6,665
Recovered
1,011
Improved
5,048
Not improved
203
Not treated
125
Died, under 48 hours
97
Died, over 48 hours
156
Stillborn
25
Total
6,665
Autop- Consulta-
Service Analysis
No. of Cases 964
Deaths 141
sies
tions
Medicine
50
511
Surgery
1,168
32
13
415
Obstetrics
delivered
901
0
0
69
undelivered
59
0
0
6
newborn infants
911
40
12
11
Gynecology
311
3
1
67
Aural
1,181
2
0
100
Urology
145
9
4
90
Orthopedics
36
0
0
22
Pediatric
218
12
7
120
Dermatology
29
0
0
12
Communicable
1
0
0
0
Traumatic
620
17
7
457
Tumor
121
22
7
71
Totals
6,665
278
101
1,951
Per cent of Autopsies-36.3%
205
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL
Financial Statement 1939
RECEIPTS
1938
1939
Private Room
$ 51,481.09
$ 58,545.03
Ward Private
44,355.10
57,740.65
Regular Service
18,905.54
29,132.28
Obstetrical
40,423.17
40,426.34
Operating Room
17,081.61
19,555.96
X-ray
14,823.90
18,106.95
Ambulance
3,239.82
3,913.91
Medical & Surgical Supplies.
2,947.54
4,337.64
Board of Special Nurses
4,035.20
5,087.20
Telephone
728.22
861.51
Physiotherapy
3,148.05
4,427.80
Laboratory
11,783.63
14,436.26
Delivery Room
4,777.00
6,036.00
Miscellaneous
1,447.50
1,308.20
Income-Endowment Funds
3,500.00
2,900.00
$222,677.37
$266,815.73
Refunded to patients
1,368.92
1,320.56
$221,308.45
$265,495.17
EXPENDITURES
1938
1939
Salaries and Wages:
Administration Officers and Clerks
$ 24,380.77
$ 26,749.92
Telephone Operators
4,707.60
4,928.18
*Supt. of Nurses, Instrs., Chge. Nurses, etc.
113,305.58
111,919.40
Internes
935.00
1,080.00
Physical Therapy
4,660.00
4,700.01
Orderlies
7,171.76
8,044.58
*X-ray
5,345.87
6,134.11
Ambulance
4,363.49
4,210.15
Housekeeping and Kitchen
58,939.39
60,091.57
Laundry
7,776.57
7,954.78
Maintenance-Property and Power Plant
9,412.44
9,411.57
Care of Grounds
1,345.24
1,308.27
Laboratory
6,253.27
6,803.80
Living out
included in * items
5,274.11
$248,596.98
$258,610.45
Other Expenses :
General Administration
$ 6,112.62
$ 3,751.14
Medical and Surgical
31,438.40
32,676.88
X-ray
3,978.40
4,197.50
Ambulance and Social Service.
929.73
515.73
Nurses Equipment
1,108.74
1,365.61
Housekeeping and Kitchen
13,468.93
24,216.65
Laundry
1,017.51
660.76
206
CITY OF QUINCY
Groceries
18,181.51
16,379.45
Butter and Eggs
6,688.84
6,549.91
Milk and Cream
10,915.64
12,536.31
Fruit and Vegetables
6,267.29
7,488.93
Meats, Poultry and Fish
15,993.98
17,561.62
Coal and Wood
10,551.41
11,648.09
Electricity and Gas
7,673.26
8,674.44
Transportation and Express
62.85
62.23
Commissions
3,341.41
5,866.64
Repairs to Building and Plant
12,775.62
13,137.60
Postage
650.00
680.00
Petty Expenses
167.52
226.66
Insurance
314.45
286.42
Rent
780.00
585.00
Replacements
4,664.35
Telephone
included in adm.
3,382.29
$153,018.11
$177,114.21
Total Expenditures
$401,615.09
8435,724.66
Pensions
2,168.25
2,457.00
New Equipment
6,874.09
8,107.80
Travel Out of State
219.55
Oil Burner
8,000.00
207
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
MRS. LANE AND GENTLEMEN :
December 31, 1939 brings to a close another banner year of ser- vice rendered by the Quincy City Hospital to its constituents, citi- zens and taxpayers of Quincy. It is my privilege, as your super- intendent, with the aid of my assistants to present herewith a summary of the various activities at the hospital for the year just ended.
More and more the members of the community in need of hos- pital care are availing themselves of the services rendered at our hospital. The number of visits to the various departments and the great increase in the number of examinations and tests performed prove this fact.
Highlights for 1939
We present a few of the highlights from the "Log" of 1939:
January Work started on the new addition to the nurses' home.
February A water-cooled ultra violet lamp purchased for the Physiotherapy Department.
April A third technician added to the X-ray Department.
It was recommended by the Staff that the new addi- tion to the nurses' home be known as the "Gordon House" in memory of Dr. John A. Gordon, co-founder of the Quincy City Hospital.
May
Two ventilating air-way windows built in the base- ment of the Hunting Building for the linen and sorting room.
First series of Health Lectures successfully concluded at the hospital on May 10, 1939.
Enlargement of the parking area facilities in the rear of the Operating Room.
June
New sterilizing equipment recommended by the Staff to be purchased for the Sterilizing Room to replace the antiquated equipment.
Painting of the M&S-1 and M&S-2 wards. New laboratory rates put into effect. Fourteen student nurses graduated on June 14th.
July
An additional laboratory technician employed on the Laboratory staff.
An additional dry tumbler installed to facilitate move- ment of linen through the laundry. A new Blodgett bake oven and a stainless steel vege- table sink installed in the kitchen.
Purchase and installation of a suction-therapy boot for the Physiotherapy Department.
208
CITY OF QUINCY
August
Purchase of new sterilizing equipment for the Operat- ing Room.
Addition to sterilizing room, off the Operating Room wing, completed.
Installation of five-foot fence adjoining the nurses' home and the Service Building.
September
Resignation of Mrs. Ann Oatt, night supervisor for five years. Miss Ruth Horrigan, assistant for two years previous, was promoted to the position of night supervisor; Miss Constance Lundy, a Quincy City Hos- pital Alumna, was appointed assistant night super- visor.
The wives of the Medical Staff of the hospital formed a new auxiliary, known as the Women's Auxiliary.
Hospital superintendent attended the American Hos- pital Association meetings in Toronto.
November
Oil burners purchased through a special appropriation. New addition to the nurses' home opened. The nurses' home was dedicated as the "Gordon House" on No- vember 16.
Reports from the State House indicate that the prema- ture births at our hospital had a low mortality rate of 16%, compared to 38% for the state.
December
The Sears Estate purchased by the Trustees of the City Hospital of Quincy and presented to the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital.
Deficit for running the hospital reduced during 1939 by $9,000.
400 Bed Hospital Needed in Quincy
There is still much to be done if the hospital is to continue with the progress of the times and of our growing community. With a population of 80,000, a four-hundred bed hospital is necessary for our community. Fortunately for Quincy this size hospital has not been necessary since we are close to the Boston hospitals. Hospitals in Boston and in this locality are running practically to capacity.
Daily Census Higher
Until recently we have had a few available vacant beds on Rice-1. The census at the hospital during the month of December shows a tendency of rising and remaining more constantly over two-hundred patients.
Additional Private Rooms Needed
It is the recommendation of your superintendent that immediate plans be made to renovate Rice-2 for private room accommodations. There has been a greater demand for private rooms for some time now. Ten additional private rooms should relieve this problem some degree for a few years at least. The cost for alterations, painting and equipment will be approximately $5,000. These rooms may be used for obstetrical and gynecological patients. For the
209
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
past several years, Rice-2 has been used to accommodate house officers, until they were moved into the Administration Building in April 1937. Since 1937 this floor has been used to house eleven staff duty nurses. On January 1, 1940, the nurses using these quarters were transferred to the Gordon House.
Hospital a Great Factor in Community Public Health
Accident cases treated at the hospital continued on the increase in 1939. The Hospital Department cooperated again with the School Department in rendering first aid and hospital care to many of our school children to the extent of $1,182. The hospital also cooperated with the Park Department in the treatment of injuries resulting from games played at the Municipal Stadium. Not only were the injured treated, but the supplies for first aid treatments were also given to the doctor in charge at the football games. It is the policy of the Quincy City Hospital to cooperate with all health and social agencies in Quincy in the treatment of the sick and injured, and in the promotion of health education by means of health lectures at the hospital and by talks to various groups throughout the city by your superintendent and his assistants. Furthermore, our depart- ment is always ready to cooperate with department heads of other agencies in giving health talks and explaining the functions of our hospital.
Work Done for City Departments
The following statistics may be of interest to the citizens of Quincy, showing work done by the hospital for which it receives no remuneration, during the year 1939.
Welfare
370 cases
$12,785.52
School Cases
134 cases
1,182.20
Internes and Nurses
206 cases
4,452.50
Employees
86 cases
1,228.55
Old Age Assistance
150 cases
8,329.75
Mothers' Aid
46 cases
1,064.70
Abatements, Free and Part-Free Accounts
781 cases
34,201.15
$63,244.37
New Addition to Gordon House-Home for Nurses
Outstanding improvements in 1939 included the completion of the addition to the nurses' home to accommodate seventy-eight nurses. The building consists of four floors. The fourth floor is for the exclusive housing of night nurses, while the first, second and third floors are used for day nurses. On the ground floor are class- rooms, dietetic laboratory, science laboratory, laundry, breakfast room and kitchenette. The study hall and library are on the further end of the first floor. Over the library on the second floor are two- room accommodations for the superintendent and assistant super- intendent of nurses. Charge nurses, instructors and supervisors occupy double rooms, with a bath for each two individuals, and a living room for each four individuals. An infirmary, accommodating three patients, is also on the second floor. The building is simple in architecture and very convenient. Each room has running water, ample closet space, simple and useful maple furniture, consisting of a desk, chair, easy chair, bed, bureau and mirror, floor lamp, and rug.
210
CITY OF QUINCY
Up-to-Date Equipment Installed in Sterilizing Room
Upon the recommendation of the Surgical Staff, the Board of Managers approved of the building of an addition to the over- crowded sterilizing room with its antiquated equipment. This unit was completed and new sterilizing equipment installed in Novem- ber. This new equipment should take care of the sterilizing problem in the Operating Room for many years to come.
Nurses' Alumnae Shoppe
The Alumnae Shoppe has now been in operation for two years. During this time profits have accrued so that the first scholarship may be given to a graduating nurse in the class of June 1940. This scholarship of three hundred dollars is to be used for further post- graduate study in nursing.
Blue Cross Helps Many Patients to Meet Hospital Bills
There has been a considerable increase in the number of Blue Cross cases that have used the facilities of the hospital. During the vear there was an average income of $1.850.00 a month from this source. It is the hope of all hospital people that more citizens will avail themselves of this protection by subscribing to the Blue Cross through their place of employment.
Praise for Staff Cooperation
Your superintendent is indebted to the Staff, its president and officers, and members of the Executive Committee for their in- valuable assistance and cooperation in all staff-administrative mat- ters throughout the year. We hope for this continued cooperation.
Increase Continues in Social Service Department
The work in the Social Service Department. in common with all other departments, has been on the increase now for some time, and it has been necessary to add a full-time clerk to this depart- ment.
Additional Technicians
A technician. Mr. Elliot Vining, was added to the X-ray Depart- ment. and an additional technician, Miss Marjorie Davison, was necessary in the Laboratory.
Women's Auxiliary Formed
The wives of the Medical Staff of the hospital formed a women's auxiliary. The primary purpose for its formation was to acquaint the members with the objectives of the hospital. Under the able leadership of the president, Mrs. F. Ramon Burke, regular meetings have been held each month. and have been well attended. One of the highlights of their program was the Christmas party that they gave for the children in the hospital.
Social Service Committee Enlarges its Field of Service
The Social Service Committee has just completed its third year of valuable service to the hospital and to many worthy patients. Mrs. Malcolm Sargent is its capable chairman. During 1939, funds
211
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
received from this Committee were spent for blood transfusions, breast milk for premature infants, special nurses, medicines for expectant mothers attending Prenatal Clinic, splints and braces. This money was raised by the Committee by conducting the annual charity ball. A substantial sum was donated by the Italian Associ- ates Club, with the aid of the Italian Dramatic Club, who made it possible for the Social Service Fund to reach and help many more worthy patients than it had in the past. The City of Quincy should encourage the Committee's good work by purchasing tickets to the annual ball which is usually held the second Friday after Easter. This year the Social Service Committee purchased two hospital beds and a wheel-chair, which may be loaned out to patients in their homes at a nominal cost.
Hospital Costs on the Increase
Your superintendent wishes to quote from "Hospitals" some of the reasons for increased hospital costs. These facts are the result of extensive and careful scientific research that has been carried out throughout the country.
Nursing Load Increases
"The Nursing load, that is the number of hours' service per patient per day, has been markedly increased, and while it has resulted in better service to the patient it has at the same time required a larger number of graduate and subsidiary workers. This decrease in student nurse service has been met by a very large in- crease in the number of general duty nurses employed.
Labor Costs
"Decrease in hours of labor for nonprofessional employees has resulted in an increase in the number of these employees. A recent check of a few typical large hospitals indicated an increase of approximately 10 per cent in the number of employees per patient in 1939 as compared to 1935.
Scientific Progress
"Lastly, the march of scientific medicine goes steadily onward and hospitals are increasingly prompt in applying these scientific advances to the care of their patients. Such comparatively recent improvements as fever therapy, oxygen therapy, and shock therapy are all distinct advances but all require close supervision and es- pecially trained personnel for their proper administration.
Future Hospital Costs
"There is no reason to doubt that the future will bring even greater demands to the hospital. None of the conditions which ac- count for the increases of the last ten years are static. All are dynamic.
"The nursing curriculum will steadily become more exacting, the trends in labor are all toward the shorter work week, and lastly, scientific medicine is still in its early adolescence."
212
CITY OF QUINCY
Hospital Has Many Friends
Many generous friends continue to show their interest in the hospital activities by presenting books, magazines, flowers, toys, clothing and miscellaneous equipment for the patients at the hos- pital. An effort is made to send home a toy or book with every child discharged from the hospital. We can continue this only inso- far as our friends continue to remember us.
Clergy Cooperative
To the clergy, and to the many civic and service organizations in the city, we owe a great deal of thanks for their cooperation and understanding of our difficult tasks in the ministering of the sick.
Employees Remembered
Our employees have been diligent workers, faithful and cooper- ative in rendering a high type of service to the patients who come under our care. It has been a pleasure to be associated with them in serving the sick.
To my faithful department heads and assistants, I am duly grateful for their assistance in the management of the affairs of the hospital.
Other City Departments Cooperate With Hospital
To all city departments and all department heads, including em- ployees at City Hall, we say "thank you" for the splendid coopera- tion given us during the year.
It is with distinct pleasure that I extend my gratitude and ap- preciation to the Board of Managers, His Honor, Mayor Thomas S. Burgin, and the members of the City Council, for their splendid cooperation.
Quincy Patriot Ledger Friendly to Hospital
May I express my sincere thanks to Mr. John Herbert and his staff of the Quincy Patriot Ledger for the cooperation they have given us in getting across to the citizens of Quincy the work ac- complished at the hospital.
Needs for the Hospital
1. Additional floor to the Service Building to be used for a nurses' dining room.
2. A new surgical wing-to include, on the first floor, an emer- gency and accident ward; on the second floor, to increase our nursery to eighty-five cribs; and to establish, on the third floor, accommodations for operating rooms.
3. Deep X-ray therapy machine.
4. Equipment for a convalescent home for women and children.
5. Radium fund to be established in Quincy.
6. To enclose the porches on the M&S and Hunting buildings in order that patients may use this room the year around.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH P. LEONE, M.D., Superintendent.
213
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND THE HOSPITAL NURSING SERVICE
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital: GENTLEMEN :
During the year, thirty-one students entered the school, ten in the February class, and twenty-one in September. Following the completion of the four-months' preliminary term in June, eight students were accepted, and on the last day of December there are eighteen preliminary students remaining from the group who entered in September. Three have withdrawn because of ill health or other reasons.
In spite of personal interviews with all applicants previous to admission, and with planned time for orientation to the work and to dormitory life, as well as careful consideration in the selection of those applicants who have demonstrated necessary aptitudes for nursing, we do experience a limited number of unanticipated losses from each preliminary class.
Local High Schools Co-operate with School of Nursing
The Principals of the local senior high schools are endeavoring to assist those students who have expressed an interest in nursing as a career. by inviting a nurse educator to meet groups of students at the high school to outline the requirements and opportunities in nursing. We have found it advantageous to supplement these formal talks with a planned tour of our hospital and to include demonstrations of nursing techniques which are given by our student nurses.
We believe the time given to this project is well spent if first- hand knowledge of the care of the sick will help to redirect those young women who have only a casual interest in nursing to some other line of endeavor.
Census December 31, 1939
The census of the school and the Nursing Department is as fol- lows:
Supt. of Nurses and Principal of the School 1
Asst. Supt. of Nurses and Principal of the School. 1
Ward Instructor and Day Supervisors 3
Anesthetist 1
Night Supervisor and Assistant 2
Head Nurses and Assistants (Day) 14
Head Nurses (Night) 1
Graduate Staff-Duty Nurses 77
Enrolled Student Nurses 43
Preliminary Students 18
In addition to the students away at affiliation, approximately seventeen, it should be borne in mind that special departments within the hospital absorb six or more students at all times, namely the Diet Kitchen, Operating Room, and Delivery Room in the Ma- ternity Department. This group of students is, therefore, not assist- ing materially with bedside nursing.
As one reads figures, the number may appear relatively high, and so it seems well to point out that from this number we furnish twenty-four hour service, seven days a week to all departments
214
CITY OF QUINCY
except the Diet Kitchen. There are three shifts in each twenty-four hours. All graduate staff-duty nurses and students have one day off in seven and our numbers must be adequate to cover for those off duty as well as other unforseen exigencies. The task of providing adequate nursing service would indeed be simple, and much less expensive, if a hospital closed its doors and turned out the lights between 5:30 P.M. and 9 A.M.
However, measured in terms of service to the sick of this com- munity who turn to their hospital for care, it seems to those of us who are blessed with good health well worth all effort and expense involved.
New Addition to the Residence
The much-longed for addition to the nurses' residence became a reality in November, and before December 1st all graduates who had been living outside the hospital for a period of years were assigned to rooms in the residence.
On November 16th, simple informal dedication exercises were held in the living room. A plaque on the first floor dedicates the building to the memory of Dr. John A. Gordon, a co-founder of the hospital and a member of the original medical staff.
We are already appreciating the conveniences and comforts pro- vided in the new wing, as well as several improvements made in the original building.
Perhaps the two features which have brought the greatest bene- fits are the single rooms for night nurses on the fourth floor where they are away from the noise of the street and the confusion which comes from the daytime activities within the residence; also the fact that exposure incidental to travel during inclement weather has been obviated for many of the staff. We have already noticed a lower incidence of illness among the graduate nurses.
The well-lighted and ventilated science laboratory on the ground floor of the wing is proving a great convenience, since it reduces travel time between classes. For these and many other conveniences we are grateful that the plans for the new addition have come to pass.
Gift to the Residence
Increasing the size of the residence necessitated additional recep- tion rooms for visitors on the first floor.
An alumna of the school, Mrs. John W. Burke, Jr., has been inter- ested to provide furniture for the three new rooms and to replace the worn-out furniture in the one reception room. The gift is pre- sented by the donor in the nature of a memorial to former inter- ested friends of the hospital. When completed, we will have an adequate number of attractively furnished reception rooms for the one-hundred-and-fifty resident personnel.
We sincerely appreciate the time and painstaking care which Mrs. Burke has given in the selection of the furnishings.
Graduation
Graduation exercises were held on June 15, 1939. The Reverend Michael J. Ahern, S. J. of Weston College, was the speaker of the
215
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
afternoon. Diplomas and pins were awarded to fourteen young women. A much appreciated gift to the school, from the graduating class, was a brain model for teaching purposes and the first gift to be received for the new science laboratory.
Reference Library
The reference library in the residence has been catalogued by a trained librarian. This project was much needed in order to locate material readily. It is hoped that we may eventually be able to have the services of a librarian for at least a few hours each week so that new editions may be properly catalogued and cross filed, and also to assist in the collection and filing of pertinent scientific cur- rent literature and illustrative material.
Curriculum
Revisions have been made in a few courses so that the content of each will be in accord with present-day needs in nursing prac- tice. A short course in Sociology has been added during the junior term from which the student should gain a more thoughtful ap- preciation of the various significant factors underlying problems of illness within the family and the community.
Faculty
A number of the graduate staff are continuing to carry part-time work in education at nearby colleges in preparation for their teach- ing duties in the wards. The assistant head nurse, MS-2, Miss Dorothy Smith, has been granted leave of absence for a year of study at Teachers' College, Columbia University.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee to the School meets once each month from September through May to consider problems relative to the administration of the school. The majority of the members attend the meetings regularly. The advice and counsel from the group is most helpful to the Principal and conducive to the progress of the school.
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