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 13
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Accreditation
Accreditation of Schools of Nursing is going forward in this country under the auspices of the National League of Nursing Edu- cation, the educational section of the American Nurses' Association. Two significant purposes of the nation-wide survey are, to assist the deans of colleges, principals of high schools, and prospective applicants in the selection of a school of nursing offering a sound educational program, and also to help those responsible to improve their school. A list of schools meeting optimum standards in nurs- ing education will be published in 1941. It is hoped before another year that this school may be in a position to participate in the survey.
The plan for accreditation of nursing schools has been set up on a basis similar to other well-known accrediting associations for allied professional schools.
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CITY OF QUINCY
Increase in Nursing Service
The hospital has been called upon to supply nursing service to a greater number of patients than ever before. The nurses have endeavored to meet the many and growing demands in a creditable manner. If expressions of gratitude from many discriminating pa- tients are an indication of good service we have at least in part succeeded in strengthening the confidence of the public in the hos- pital. A contented and happy personnel has much to do in main- taining a desirable esprit de corps, which is so essential for a high type of professional service.
We believe the year has been one of growth and progress, and as we look forward to the year ahead we trust that whatever prob- lems may arise will challenge us to renewed effort and the best type of professional service.
Respectfully submitted, HELEN O. POTTER, R.N .. Superintendent of Nurses.
217
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital: GENTLEMEN :
Each year finds the Social Service Department increasing in scope and adding new functions, so that at the end of the seventh year, it has grown from a credit investigation department to an agency calculated to aid the patient, doctor, and hospital in solving the many social problems which may hinder efficient medical care.
We find that we have a definite service to offer each of the med- ical services. our functions including among others, arranging for convalescent care, purchasing surgical appliances, booking tonsil- lectomies, and admitting patients to the prenatal clinic.
Tumor Clinic
We are pleased to announce that on September 8, 1939, the Quincy Tumor Diagnostic Clinic first opened its doors. This clinic, subsidized by the State Department of Health, is open to all resi- dents of the South Shore, with no restrictions as to ability to pay. Its function is to encourage the general public to seek early diag- nosis for suspicious growths, so that if malignancy is present, it may be treated while it is in an early stage, and thus is more readily curable. While the clinic does not treat any cases, it is the duty of the social worker to see that those who require treatment receive it, either at this or another hospital, or at the office of their family physician.
The growth of this clinic has been slow, but steady, and we feel that it will not be long before it takes its place beside the prenatal clinic as the nucleus of an efficient and well-organized out-patient department.
Cases Studied
There were two thousand, one hundred seventy-eight service pa- tients admitted to the hospital in 1939, each of whom was investi- gated from the standpoint of ability to pay for hospital care, and on each a legal settlement was determined by the department with the cooperation of the Settlement Division of the Department of Public Welfare.
In one hundred forty-four cases of emergency admission due to automobile or other accidents, we checked with the police and other records, and contacted insurance companies, as well as obtaining settlement and financial histories, so that we might protect the hospital bill in case there was no insurance coverage. The members of the staff, for the most part unaided by volunteer help, made one thousand, two hundred sixty-two home visits during the year, which included the transportation of four to eight patients to and from the hospital for physiotherapy, three times a week. Forty patients were referred to convalescent homes; thirty-one patients were transferred to other hospitals for special care, either as house patients or out-patients; four patients were transferred to the City Home; district nursing service was called in for twenty-four pa- tients; surgical appliances were furnished 16 patients. There have been three hundred and eight outside settled cases referred to the Department of Public Welfare for reimbursement or protection, and four hundred and eighty welfare cases, including those receiving
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CITY OF QUINCY
Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children, were admitted to the hospital.
Prenatal Clinic
There were one hundred eighty-four new patients admitted by the Social Service Department to the Prenatal Clinic in 1939, and a total of seven hundred fifty-four visits were made at the clinic.
We are sincerely grateful to Mrs. Grace Lee and the members of the Quincy Visiting Nurse Association for their interest in and devotion to our prenatal clinic patients, as is evidenced by the frequency of their visits, and regularity of their reports.
Miss Helen Perry, nutrition consultant of the Junior Welfare League, was prevented by illness from carrying out her intended program of food education at the clinic, but we hope that the new consultant, Miss Marjory Foster, will carry on where Miss Perry left off.
Social Service Committee
The Social Service Committee for 1939 included Mrs. Malcolm Sargent, Chairman, Mrs. Earl Baker, Mrs. Fred Bergfors, Mrs. Alfred Brown, Mrs. F. Ramon Burke, Miss Gertrude Callahan, Mrs. T. Vincent Corsini, Mrs. Edward Dobbyn, Mrs. Harry E. Dupee, Jr., Miss Helen Gavin, Mr. Guy Hart, Mrs. Paul Karcher, Mrs. Harold Newell, Mrs. Everett Robbie, Miss Carlena Walker, Miss Marjorie Welch, Dr. Joseph P. Leone, and Miss Ruth Darr, Secretary.
Miss Gertrude Callan resigned in May, 1939 in order to fulfill other obligations. In the fall of 1939, the following new members were elected: Mrs. Robert Gilmore, Mrs. Edward M. Nathan, Miss Sadie Papile, Mrs. Merton F. Rix, and Mrs. Fred Tobben.
The third annual Charity Ball sponsored by the Committee took place at the Neighborhood Club on April 21, 1939 with Mr. T. Clinton Johnson as chairman. This was the most successful ball given, financially speaking, and as the sum earned was equalled by a donation from the Quincy Italian Dramatic Club, as a result of a play which they presented for the Committee, the Social Service Fund was able to extend its service beyond individual help to as- sisting the hospital in its education program by acting as co- sponsor for the Health Lectures given at the hospital in connection with National Hospital Day.
Another innovation was the bridge party which the Committee sponsored at the hospital on November 17. A profit of sixty-six dollars was realized, but it was felt that a far greater profit lay in the fact that it gave many women a chance to see the hospital, and become acquainted with its aims and purposes, without first having to be sick.
The success of this affair has convinced the Committee that it should be an annual occurrence, in the future.
The interest of these men and women in the hospital, and more particularly, the time and energy which they have spent in attend- ing meetings, and arranging the ball and bridge party, is indeed gratifying, and I wish hereby to express publicly my sincere ap- preciation and gratitude.
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REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
Services Rendered By Other Agencies
It is only once a year that we are able to express publicly our appreciation for the many services rendered the department through the year, and we welcome the opportunity thus offered to thank the following who have given generously of time and money to our department.
1. Commissioner of Public Welfare, Anthony J. Venna, and his assistants in the Bureau of Old Age Assistance and Aid to Depend- ent Children, as well as in the Public Welfare Department.
2. The Family Welfare Society.
3. The Visiting Nurse Association.
4. The Kiwanis Club.
5. The organizations which donated and decorated Christmas trees to impart a more home-like atmosphere to our wards-The Squantum Junior Women's Club, the Quincy Junior Women's Club, the Germantown Garden Club, and the Stoney Brae Garden Club.
6. Those who volunteered in our office, notably Miss Bette Cut- ler, a student at Boston University, who helped with the clerical work for the summer months, and Mrs. Richmond Gordon, who transported patients for a short while at the beginning of the year. We are always grateful for the support of Mrs. Claire Nelson, of the Red Cross Motor Corps, who may always be called upon in an emergency.
7. No single agency or individual can prosper without some help from others, and especially in the complex organization of a municipal hospital it is necessary for complete cooperation among all departments-both within the hospital and in all the units of the City government. For this spirit of helpfulness, which we have found in the City and Hospital departments, and especially the Board of Managers, the Superintendent and the Medical and Surg- ical staffs, the gratitude of all the members of this department is expressed. Miss Muriel Brady, and Miss Betty McNicol, co-workers within the Social Service Department, who have worked tirelessly and cheerfully in many trying circumstances, to them, the director wishes publicly to announce her appreciation and thanks.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH DARR, Director, Department of Social Service.
REPORT OF X-RAY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit a report of the work done in the X-ray De- partment during the year 1939.
Increase for Year Slightly Less Than 10%
The number of patients radiographed and treated was 4,895 as against 4,431 during the preceding year-a gain of slightly less than ten per cent.
New Technician
Elliot G. Vining, an experienced male technician, was added to the personnel of the department last February and his work has
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CITY OF QUINCY
been very satisfactory from the start. In company with the other technicians, Rebecca Philbrick and Constance Larkin, the routine of the laboratory has been thoroughly done.
Clerical Work
In February, Phyllis Acebo was promoted to another department in the hospital and her place was taken by Mildred Anderson. Al- though medical dictation is very difficult, Miss Anderson soon mastered it and the clerical end of the department has progressed smoothly.
New Equipment Recommended
I recommend the purchase of a high voltage X-ray therapy unit having the flexibility to enable us to approach a deep-seated tumor from any angle. The specifications for this unit are on file in the front office, and if purchased, will provide an up-to-date and much needed therapy outfit.
The following is a statistical report of the work done in the laboratory from January 1, 1939 to December 31, 1939:
Examinations
Gastro-intestinal tract
251
Barium enema
78
Gall bladder
143
Kidneys, ureters and bladder
250
Pyelogram
99
Chest
982
Spine
433
Teeth
106
Ankle
199
Knee
136
Leg
322
Ribs
70
Shoulder
204
Pregnancy
43
Wrist
182
Elbow
118
Arm
192
Feet
118
Hand
222
Skull
231
Nose
43
Sinuses
57
Jaw
57
Mastoid
60
Fracture reductions
23
Fluoroscopic examinations
14
Foreign bodies
13
Total Examinations
4,626
Treatments
Low voltage
116
Deep therapy
153
Total Treatments
269
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REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
Examinations and Treatments per Month
January
459
February
396
March
383
April
367
May
468
June
395
July
432
August
394
September
435
October
417
November
400
December
409
Total Examinations and Treatments. 4,895
We wish to express to the Administration and the Staff, our appreciation for their continued cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES WHELAN, M.D.,
Radiologist.
REPORT OF LABORATORY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
The following is the report of the Clinical and Pathological Lab- oratory for the year 1939.
A total of 29,840 examinations of various types were performed during the year, an increase of almost 6,000 examinations over the previous year.
Many new tests have been added during the past year, including a presumptive serological test on donors for transfusion. The in- creased use of Sulfanilamide and Sulfapyradine in Streptococcic and Pneumoccic infections has necessitated the determination of the level of these drugs in the blood. Blood chemistry tests, includ- ing Cholesterol, Carbon Dioxide combining power, Creatinin and Sodium Chloride, are now performed in the Laboratory.
A total of 108 autopsies, 36.3% of the deaths, the largest number and percentage since the inception of the Laboratory, was per- formed during the year 1939. In 1930, the total number of autopsies was 23, with 10.7% of the deaths. The increase in the number of autopsies reflects the scientific interest of the Staff and the coop- eration of the public in granting the permission to perform these examinations.
Pneumococcus typing has showed a further increase and the value of the test in applying the proper treatment is recognized by the profession and the public.
Basal metabolism rates and the electro-cardiograms now total 540 for the year, with an increase of 100 over the previous year.
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CITY OF QUINCY
The School of Nursing now has its teaching laboratory in the new wing of the Gordon House. The laboratory formerly used by them has been taken over by the Laboratory Department.
The increased work has necessitated the addition of another tech- nician to the Laboratory Staff, Miss Marjorie M. Davison, of Wol- laston.
Miss Frances K. Morris, Miss Elinor D. Rich, and Miss Ruth H. Kuhns, having passed the requirements based on training and ex- perience, have become registered in the Registry for Medical Tech- nologists of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
I wish to acknowledge the continued service rendered by the technical staff.
The following is a detailed report of the various tests performed by the Clinical and Pathological Laboratory for the year 1939:
State Laboratory Reports
Hintons
1,727
Wassermann, Spinal Fluid 52
Davies-Hinton, Spinal Fluid
31
Spinal Fluid, Gold Sol.
40
Spinal Fluid, Total Protein
27
Spinal Fluid, Globulin
. 2
Spinal Fluid, Sugar
2
Spinal Fluid, Culture, T. B.
1
Spinal Fluid, Sodium Chloride.
2
Widal
71
Culture for Typhoid, Feces
30
Culture for Typhoid, Urine
16
Culture for Typhoid, Blood
15
G. C. Complement Fixation
53
Sputa, T. B.
10
Sputa, Pneumococcus Typing
1
Throat Culture
2
Feces, Culture for T. B.
1
Smears for G. C.
3
Undulant Fever
4
Quincy City Hospital Laboratory Reports
Urinalyses (Pre-Natal 1,143)
8,555
P-S-P
119
Mosenthal
10
Urine Concentration
4
Urobilinogen
7
Indican
1
Creatinin (Urinary)
1
Quantatative Urine Sugar
1
Diastase, Urine
9
Bence-Jones
2
White Blood Count
3,250
Red Blood Count
2,701
Hemoglobin, Tallquist
2,710
Hemoglobin, Dare
3
Hemoglobin, Sahli
22
Color Index
2,660
Differential
1,957
Reticulocyte Count
18
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
223
Platelet Count
5
Bleeding Time
426
Clotting Time
426
Sedimentation Rate
82
Fragility Test
4
Prothrombin Time
3
Icteric Index
55
VandenBergh
32
Bromsulphalein
4
Blood Sugar
456
Blood N-P-N
535
Blood Chloride
6
Blood Cholesterol
2
Blood Carbon Dioxide Combining.
4
Blood Creatinin
1
Sulfanilamide, Blood
6
Laughlen
109
Rapid Hinton
12
Glucose Tolerance
3
Galactose Tolerance
1
Blood Typing
1,051
Blood Matching
501
Blood Culture
157
Miscellaneous Culture
355
Throat Culture
475
Smears, Culture
2
Transudate
5
Exudate
4
Sputa, T. B.
198
Sputa, Pneumococcus Typing
121
Spinal Fluid, Pneumococcus Typing.
2
Spinal Fluid, Chloride
2
Spinal Fluid, Routine
92
Autogenous Vaccine
15
Gastric Analysis
33
Feces
171
Vomitus
5
Aschheim-Zondek, Friedman Mod.
188
Animal Inoculation
41
Skin Test
40
Electro-cardiograms
276
Basal Metabolism Rates
264
Autopsies
108
Surgical Specimen
1,056
Total
29,840
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS P. MCCARTHY, M.D., Pathologist.
476
Bacterial Count
224
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
The following report of the activities of the Physical Therapy Department is respectfully submitted.
We were fortunate during the past year to add to our equipment a Suction Pressure Therapy apparatus for the treatment of periph- eral vascular disease. This was delivered in the summer and since then we have given 119 treatments with it. The results have been very satisfactory and it will be a useful addition for next year's work because of the increasing number of patients admitted to hospitals now with problems of this type.
The increasing demand for short wave diathermy has placed a heavy load on our one machine, there having been given 1,176 treatments during the past year while 1,671 long wave diathermy treatments were given on the three machines we have for this type of work.
No changes in personnel were made during the past year, the technical work being done by Mr. Leland Stevens and Miss Eliza- beth Gordon. The secretarial work of Miss Mary Popowitz has been of great help in keeping our records complete.
Examinations and Treatments in 1939
Examinations
56
Hot Packs
1
Nerve Test
2
Auto-condensation
34
Diathermy
1,671
Short Wave Diathermy
1,176
Electric Saturation
124
Fulguration
11
Galvanism
5
Sinusoidal Electro-therapy
619
Static Electro-therapy
29
Vibration
5
Suction Pressure
119
Infra-red
439
Radiant Light
2,213
Ultra Violet, Air Cooled
947
Ultra Violet, Water Cooled
198
Continuous Bath
10
Cabinet Bath
14
Colonic Irrigation
58
Scotch Douche
11
Sitz Bath
49
Shower
14
Whirlpool Bath
240
Exercises
160
418
Manipulation Massage
1,181
Total Modalities
9,804
Total Patients
6,326
Respectfully submitted,
CLAUDE L. PAYZANT, M.D., Director, Physical Therapy Department.
225
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE DIETARY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital: GENTLEMEN :
During the year of 1939, approximately 134,820 persons were fed at the Quincy City Hospital. This number includes all patients, doctors, nurses, and employees. The approximate cost of uncooked food for the year was $60,500.00, averaging about $0.44 a day per person. This figure includes all diets to all patients including private patients as well as the entire personnel of the hospital.
Our food costs are broken into five large divisions, and the fol- lowing is the approximate percentage spent for each division:
Meats, Fish, Poultry 28%
Milk, Cream, Ice Cream 24%
Butter and Eggs 10%
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. 12%
Groceries (included all other foods) 27%
There are five persons who do all the cooking and baking for the hospital. Added to these are four boys who clean in the kitchen, deliver food to the wards, and can help with the preparation of vegetables if necessary.
The dining room personnel consists of six waitresses and one dish washer. This year, new bakery ovens were installed in the kitchen which have greatly improved our bakery products as well as using less gas.
Respectfully submitted, LAURA D. WENDT, Dietitian.
REPORT OF THE HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
During the year 1939, a new tumbler for drying clothes was in- stalled in the Laundry. The efficiency of this department has been increased by this machine which has also proved to be a time-saver.
Two new windows have been completed in the Linen Room, which have greatly facilitated the work done here.
The employees of the Housekeeping Department attended and greatly enjoyed the Christmas party for hospital employees.
Respectfully submitted, CATHERINE LAUDER, Housekeeper.
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CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
The following is an itemized report of major work done by the Maintenance Department during the year 1939 in addition to other maintenance work at the Hospital.
1. Rebuilt dishwashing machine to suit conditions in the diet kitchen of M&S-2, and installed new stainless steel sink and counter in this kitchen.
2. Installed additional stainless steel shelves in the Cafeteria.
3. Installed new gas bake-oven in Main Kitchen.
4. Installed new rotary drier in the Laundry.
5. Installed piping and electric work to equipment in the new sterilizing room.
6. Installed two full-size steel sash windows in the basement of the Hunting Building.
7. Extended suction to M&S-2 with provision to extend same to M&S-3.
8. Extended and fenced in the parking area.
9. Installed shelves, counters, piping, and made the necessary minor alterations in the Gordon House.
During the year we have added to our equipment one electric hammer and we have found this piece of equipment a great saver of time and hard labor.
The oil burners installed under our boilers together with the boiler meters, at the beginning of the heating season, are function- ing very satisfactorily. Although records, to date, cover only a short period and are not complete enough to claim any great saving in fuel consumption, nevertheless a great saving has assuredly been accomplished insofar as an additional employee would have been necessary for the further burning of coal. The oil burners have also made it possible to carry our total steam load on two of our three boilers, thus leaving the third as a safety factor in an emergency, and they will also allow approximately a twenty-five per cent in- crease of steam generation in the future, with the same factor of safety and no extra labor costs. The frequent complaints of smoke have also been eliminated.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL ERIKSSON, Chief Engineer.
227
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE STAFF
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
For the last year the Staff has functioned with excellent efficiency and there is complete confidence that this standard will be improved as time goes on. There has been fine cooperation with the Board of Managers which has facilitated the smoothness with which the Staff has operated.
There have been some changes in the personnel of the Staff in 1939. New men have been added to the Courtesy Staff, and special privileges have been granted to four physicians who are Quincy- born men, not having been practicing the full two years. Dr. Wil- liam A. McCausland, Dr. Walter L. McClintock, Dr. Leslie Van- Raalte, and Dr. Alfred V. Mahoney have been added to our Active Staff.
It is with pleasure that we announce an addition to our Consult- ant Staff as hematologist, Dr. William P. Murphy, of Boston. We are fortunate in having obtained the services of a man with the ability and reputation of Dr. Murphy.
The Staff meetings have had a better attendance than previously. These regular meetings are now held on the third Thursday of the month at eight-thirty o'clock in the evening. Interesting programs are presented, together with hospital subjects.
The Staff has enjoyed its association with the Hospital Superin- tendent, Dr. Joseph P. Leone. Our relations have been most con- genial and this has immeasurably increased the efficiency of the Staff.
Respectfully submitted, F. RAMON BURKE, M.D., Staff President.
REPORT OF THE INTERNES COMMITTEE
To the President of the Staff of the Quincy City Hospital: DEAR SIR:
During the year 1939, the Internes Committee have met several times. Candidates for interneship were recommended to the Board of Managers for appointment. Those appointed for service begin- ning January 1, 1939 were: Dr. Leo, Milner, Dr. Lester I. Fox, and Dr. Robert J. Sherman. Those appointed for service beginning July 1, 1939 were: Dr. Antonio J. Giacomini, Dr. Edward F. Fitzgerald, and Dr. Frank J. Chiminello.
Dr. Vincent D'Elia was appointed Resident Physician from Janu- ary 1939 to July 1939. Dr. Burton Elder was appointed Resident Physician, beginning July 1, 1939.
The service of the internes is for eighteen months and is rotat- ing. This plan has worked out for the benefit of the hospital and is also of great advantage to the internes themselves.
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CITY OF QUINCY
The Internes Committee has endeavored to select internes from as many different Class-A Medical Schools as possible. This ad- vantage to the hospital is apparent because the internes bring different ideas as a result of their instructions from varied medical schools. We have had a very good class of internes and feel that they have and will receive most valuable experience before going into the general practice of medicine. There have been conferences with the house officers, clinical instructions and lectures by the Staff with the aid of the Resident Physician. The house officers are expected to attend the clinical meetings of the Hospital Staff and also the lectures by visiting physicians.
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