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 1940 > Part 12
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The free work at the hospital included services to the follow- ing agencies: Cases treated for Welfare Department-$13,016.41; For Old Age-$9,713.09; Cases referred to the Welfare Depart- ment-$16,064.98; Mothers' Aid Cases-$2,173.00; School Accidents- $657.00.
A Private Hospital
Our hospital has a dual responsibility of caring for the indi- gent and those able to pay. This set-up, for a municipal hospital, is unique, in that all citizens of Quincy are afforded the opportuni- ties and services of a modern, well-equipped, up-to-date, general hospital.
Buildings
The sum of $16,663.72 was expended during the year for re- pairs and upkeep of our buildings and grounds.
With the aid of W.P.A., the following major improvements were made :-
1. Repairs and alterations to Rice-1 and Rice-2.
2. Exterior painting and water-proofing of all buildings.
3. Construction of quarters for Pre-Natal Clinic in Administra- tion Building.
4. Excavation of Hunting Basement.
5. Construction of splint and plaster room in newly excavated basement in Hunting Building.
6. Widening of "Fire Lane" from Whitwell Street to rear entrance of M&S Building.
7. Construction of asphalt walks on hospital grounds.
8. Landscaping and clearing of ground, and planting of shrub- bery with the aid and donation of shrubs by the Park De- partment.
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REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
9. Water-proofing of Surgical Building Basement.
10. Installation of fire-alarm system in Rice Building.
Improvements Recommended
Each day a greater responsibility is being placed on the hos- pital and its entire staff. To meet these demands of our community, it will be necessary to make several improvements in the hospital buildings during the coming year. They are as follows, in the order of importance :-
1. An additional floor to the Service Building for a larger nurses' and employees' dining room.
2. Alterations to Hunting Building-3rd floor, to repair leaks, and to increase the bed capacity of the Children's Ward.
3. Construction of an underground tunnel from the Nurses" Home to the hospital and Service Building.
4. Construction of a five-story building on the site of the present surgical unit. This unit would contain an accident and emergency ward; a Nursery to accommodate eighty infants; enlarged Operating Room and sterilizing facilities; and two additional wards for patients to care for an addi- tional seventy-two patients.
5. Erection of portable houses for fifty nurses.
6. Building of portable units for 40-50 hospital beds, between the M&S Building and the Sears' Estate.
Mrs. T. Newell Lane's Term Expires
The Board of Managers takes this occasion to express its sin- cere appreciation of the unusually fine service which has been ren- dered to the City of Quincy by Minnie A. Lane, a most faithful and helpful member of the Board since July 16th, 1935.
Mrs. Lane's term of office expired on January 7th, 1941, due to an arbitrary termination of her tenure of office under the law.
At the final meeting of the year, the officers of the hospital expressed their affectionate gratitude for Mrs. Lane's invaluable service to our beloved City Hospital, and its warmest wishes for her continued happiness.
Welcome Mrs. Edwina M. Robb
It is the good fortune of the Board of Managers that the Mayor appointed to this body another leading citizen of our community- Mrs. Edwina M. Robb, who took office on January 7th. Mrs. Robb is not new to the hospital, since she has been an active and valuable member of the Advisory Committee of our School of Nursing.
Adequate Service For All
As in the past, the Board of Managers, with the aid of the administrative staff, has endeavored to render adequate service to all patients admitted to our hospital at a minimum cost to the City.
224
CITY OF QUINCY
Our buildings and equipment have been maintained in such a manner that the staff has been able to carry out the best-accepted procedures in the care of the sick.
Appreciation
The Board of Managers wishes to express its appreciation to the Active Staff for the many hours of service given to the char- ity patients admitted on service during the year; also, to the many friends and organizations for their generous support of the hospital administration and for their many gifts given to the patients at the hospital. To His Honor Mayor Thomas S. Burgin and the City Council for their continued interest and support of our hospi- tal; also, to all other City Departments for their splendid co-opera- tion and aid given to our Superintendent throughout the year. Again, we express our thanks to the Quincy Patriot Ledger for interpreting the work at the hospital to our community. We also wish to record our appreciation to our Superintendent, his assistants, and all our faithful, co-operative staff of employees and depart- :mental heads.
Board of Managers
R
MR. GUY W. HART, Chairman MRS. T. NEWELL LANE MR. J. BROOKS KEYES MR. FRANKLIN S. NICHOLS MR., JAMES F. REYNOLDS. Secretary
225
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL STATISTICAL REPORT
1939
1940
Patients in hospital January 1st.
174
173
Patients admitted during the year
6,665
7,444
Total
6,839
7,617
Male patients admitted
2,712
2,968
Female patients admitted
3,953
4,476
Total
6,665
7,444
Patients admitted to Medical Service
1,303
1,021
Patients admitted to Surgical Service.
3,494
1,339
Patients admitted to Obstetrical Service
953
1,130
Number of babies born ..
915
1,079
Gynecology
415
Aural
1,172
Urological
191
Orthopedic
218
Pediatric
218
Dermatology
25
Communicable
127
Traumatic
422
Tumor
87
Total
6,665
7,444
Private room patients admitted
1,444
1,668
Private ward patients admitted
3,043
3,424
Service patients admitted
2,178
2,352
Total
6,665
7,441
Paying patients discharged
5,896
6,50
Part-paying patients discharged
79
133
Free patients discharged
210
200
Welfare patients discharged
480
340
Old Age Patients discharged
0
143
Mothers' Aid cases discharged
0
72
Total
6,665
7,403
Largest number in hospital any one day
236
276
Smallest number in hospital any one day
161
167
Daily average number of patients
196.8
221.2
Total number of days' treatment.
72,131
80,968
Operations
Major
900
1,015
Minor
4,103
3,913
Total
5,009
4,928
Outpatients
6,709
5,56G
Accidents
1,938
1,851
Copies of hospital records sent to attorneys
and insurance companies
744
260
Receipts for copies of records
$624.80
$675.00
Ambulance calls made in year
1,221
1,421
Pre-natal Clinic patients
825
816
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CITY OF QUINCY
DISCHARGE RECORD AND SERVICE ANALYSIS
January 1, 1940-December 31, 1940
Male patients discharged.
2,960
Female patients discharged
4,443
Total discharges
7,403
Recovered
1,246
Improved
5,559
Not Improved
230
Not Treated
77
In for Diagnosis Only
2
Died, under 48 hours
107
Died, over 48 hours
162
Stillborn
20
Total
7,403
Autop- Consulta·
Service Analysis
No. of Cases Deaths
sies
tions
Medicine
984
158
45
196
Surgery
1367
36
17
221
Obstetrics
1120
2
0
50
Infants
1059
37
10
8
Gynecology
411
5
1
55
Aural
1169
1
1
48
Urological
199
9
4
71
Orthopedic
234
8
3
61
Pediatric
205
11
8
38
Dermatology
26
0
0
10
Communicable
145
5
3
26
Traumatic
395
10
4
78
Tumor
89
7
4
10
Totals
7403
289
100
872
Per Cent of Autopsies-35%.
227
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL Financial Statement 1940
Receipts
1939
1940
Private Rooms
$ 58,545.03 $ 64,722.46
Ward Private
57,740.65
66,861.30
Regular Service
29,132.28
29,933.04
Obstetrical
40,426.34
50,387.64
Operating Room
19,555.96
21,703.95
X-Ray
18,106.95
19,415.88
Ambulance
3,913.91
4,137.50
Medical and Surgical Supplies
4,337.64
6,231.20
Board of Special Nurses
5,087.20
5,022.12
Telephone
861.51
886.95
Physiotherapy
4,427.80
3,756.71
Laboratory
14,436.26
17,628.90
Delivery Room
6,036.00
8,404.54
Miscellaneous
1,308.20
1,330.02
Income-Endowment Funds
2,900.00
3,100.00
$266,815.73 $303,522.21
Refunded to Patients
1,320.56
941.19
$265,495.17 $302,581.02
Expenditures
1939
1940
SALARIES AND WAGES:
Administration Officers and Clerks.
$ 26,749.92 $ 29,977.49
Telephone Operators
4,928.18
5,154.84
Supt. of Nurses, Assistants &
Instructors. .
111,919.40
117,835.75
Internes
1,080.00
1,740.00
Orderlies
8,044.58
8,034.69
X-Ray
6,134.11
6,520.51
Ambulance
4,210.15
4,618.02
Housekeeping and Kitchen
60,091.57
65,053.13
Laundry
7,954.78
9,065.37
Physiotherapy
4,700.01
4,674.75
Laboratory
6,803.80
8,004.50
Maintenance, Property and Power Plant.
9,411.57
9,457.03
Care of Grounds
1,308.27
2,340.57
Living Out
5,274.11
Total Payroll
$258,610.45 $272,476.65
1939
1940
OTHER EXPENSES:
General Administration
$ 3,751.14 $
3,367.64
Medical and Surgical Supplies
32,676.88
35,238.12
X-Ray
4,197.50
4,959.21
Ambulance
515.73
481.10
228
CITY OF QUINCY
Nurses' Equipment
1,365.61
1,527.43
Housekeeping and Kitchen
24,216.65
20,363.61
Laundry
660.76
914.80
Groceries
16,379.45
17,716.65
Butter and Eggs
6,549.91
7,588.89
Milk and Cream
12,536.31
12,690.11
Fruit and Vegetables
7,488.93
9,444.30
Meat, Poultry and Fish
17,561.62
17,831.21
Coal and Oil
11,648.09
13,282.01
Electricity and Gas
8,674.44
8,052.67
Rent
585.00
Transportation and Express
62.23
47.71
Repairs to Buildings
13,137.60
16,663.72
Insurance
286.42
300.20
Petty Expenses
226.66
193.29
Commissions
5,866.64
4,728.85
Postage
680.00
650.00
Replacements
4,664.35
1,881.27
Telephone
3,382.29
3,514.27
Total Other Expenses
$177,114.21 $181.437.06
Total Expenditures
$435,724.66 $453,913.71
New Equipment
8,107.80 $
6,241.65
Pensions
$
2,457.00 $
2,955.04
229
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital :-
MRS. ROBB AND GENTLEMEN :-
It is an honor and a pleasure for me to submit to you this, my sixth, hospital report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Because of continued loyal support and co-operation on the part of my associates, department heads and all other employees, this is possible.
12% Increase in Patients Admitted
The daily bed occupancy of the hospital was 221.4 patients, an increase of 12% over the preceding year. From all indications we have reason to believe that a greater occupancy is to be ex- pected for 1941.
Increased Personnel
It was necessary to have additional personnel for the year. The number of employees in 1939 was 266; and in 1940, 294.
Health Lectures
For the second year, community health lectures were held at the hospital. The lectures were given by members of the hospital staff and other medical authorities from Boston and were sponsored by the Social Service Committee.
Iron Lung Fund
Through popular subscription and the efforts of the Quincy Patriot Ledger, over $2,000.00 was raised to purchase an Iron Lung, a Resuscitator, a Laryngoscope, Bandage Cutting Machine and a Dental Drilling Machine.
Employees' Physical Examinations
Following the example of other progressive institutions, routine yearly physical examinations for all nurses and hospital employees were instituted. Student nurses and employees of the Dietary De- partment are examined twice yearly. These examinations are all done by the Resident Physician, and a complete health record is kept on all employees.
Administration's Personnel
Miss Minnie Harron, Admitting Officer since March, 1933, resigned to be married on August 31st, 1940. Miss Alice Gray was promoted to fill this vacancy. Miss Evelyn Mahoney and Mrs. Ada Wharton were added to the Administrative Staff as Admitting Officers.
Miss Bernadette Boutin, Assistant Superintendent, attended the New England Hospital Institute for Hospital Administrators in September.
230
CITY OF QUINCY
Audit
The State Auditors completed a two-months' audit of the hos- pital Bookkeeping Department, covering the period from 1925 to 1940. All accounts were found in order.
Repairs to Buildings
Together with increased activity resulting from the additional patients admitted to the hospital, there has been considerable ac- tivity in repairs and alterations to buildings and equipment.
Physical Examinations of Draftees
The hospital staff is co-operating with our local draft boards in the physical examination of draftees. Over 150 boys and girls from the National Youth Administration were given physical exam- inations at the hospital this year. The clinic facilities in the Ad- ministration Building are used for these examinations.
Equipment
Several pieces of equipment have been added to the various departments, and in some instances old equipment had to be re- placed. These changes and additions of equipment occur in the subsequent departmental reports.
Low Maintenance Costs
It has been said by authorities that the maintenance costs of our hospital are considerably lower than in similar institutions elsewhere. We believe the reason for this is due to our constant watch and supervision of our buildings, materials and equipment, plus a co-operative and willing group of hospital workers. We have endeavored, with the help of the Board of Managers, to pro- vide proper tools and machinery for our employees; this too has contributed to low maintenance costs.
N.Y.A. and W.P.A. Workers
We are indebted to N.Y.A. and W.P.A. for supplying the hospital with workers to help in the various departments and help- ing with the extra load put on the hospital this past year.
Recommendations
The pressing needs for the present have already been pre- sented by the Board of Managers.
For the coming year, 1941, may I ask for continued co-opera- tion from all departments in order that we can meet successfully the greater demands that will be made upon us.
All City Departments Co-operate.
May I express my appreciation to his Honor, Mayor Thomas S. Burgin, his offices at City Hall and all other City Departments
231
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
for their splendid help given to the hospital during the past year. In every instance, when called upon by the hospital, each depart- ment head and his staff have responded generously with assistance.
Board of Managers
The continued interest and co-operation of the Board of Mana- gers in all hospital problems has made the work of your Superin- tendent easier and more pleasant. I thank the Board of Managers for their loyal support and kindness.
Appreciation
We wish to express our thanks to the Quincy Patriot Ledger, all our Quincy Social Agencies and Service Clubs for their co-opera- tion and kindness, and our many friends for their many gifts and donations.
In closing, it has been a pleasure and a joy to me to be as- sociated with such a fine group of medical men, nurses and hospital workers, to whom J wish to express my gratitude for their splendid co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH P. LEONE, M.D., Superintendent
232
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND THE HOSPITAL NURSING SERVICE
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital : GENTLEMEN :
The census of the school and the Nursing Department is as follows:
Census December 31, 1940
OFFICERS AND INSTRUCTORS
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 Nurse (Night)
1
Graduate Staff-Duty Nurses
88
STUDENT NURSES
Senior Students 19
Intermediate Students
19
Junior Students 16
54
Preliminary Students
22
Total 76
STUDENTS AT AFFILIATION
Bellevue Hospital
11
Butler Hospital
2
Charles V. Chapin Hospital
5
Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary
1
Total 19
Students completing the course and graduated
19
Preliminary Students Admitted 40
Preliminary Students Completing the Course 37
Enrolled students resigned or withdrawn 3
The hospital reports that during the past year it has cared for the highest daily average number of patients in its history.
In terms of nursing service it has meant not only more pa- tients but more highly technical treatments and consequently more nursing hours to be provided. The newly renovated ward in the Rice Building, with accommodations for ten additional private pa- tients, has been staffed with graduate nurses. The supervisory group from Hunting 2 has charge of this new unit, and since it has been ably managed, it has not seemed necessary to appoint an ad- ditional head nurse.
233
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
The pleasant, sunny rooms and quiet atmosphere in this ward appear to be most appreciated by the patients. Since Rice 2 was opened, it is no longer necessary to care for maternity patients in Hunting 1. As a result, we believe we are giving better care to both mothers and infants.
There have been two changes among the instructors' group, and resignations and appointments among the head nurse staff.
Miss Priscilla Alger, instructor in nursing arts for five years, resigned to be married, and she has been succeeded by Miss Mary Ormond, a graduate from the Simmons College School of Nursing.
Mrs. Ada Wharton, the school's first ward instructor, was pro- moted to the Admitting Office in September, and this vacancy was filled October 14 by Miss Janet Wilson, who has had post-gradu- ate study at Simmons College and Teachers' College at Colum- bia University.
Mrs. Isabel Budding, for eight years a head nurse in the Ob- stetric Department, has been succeeded by Miss Ella Anderson, a graduate from this school. Miss Mae Bamberg resigned as Head Nurse of M&S 2 to take up private duty, and that appointment has been filled by Miss Esther Youngren, who previously served as assistant head nurse in the same ward.
Each one of these young women has made an individual con- tribution to the hospital and school, and we acknowledge their professional service with gratitude.
Refresher Course
For the past year we have been mindful of the possible need for additional qualified graduate nurses to care for any untoward emergencies in the hospital and community. To help meet such needs, it was decided to arrange a refresher course for graduate nurses, to include lectures and demonstrations of the more recent technical nursing procedures. Our regular teaching staff conducted the course. Applications from the Alumna of the school were given first consideration, but since all appointments were not taken, it was possible to include a limited number of graduate nurses from the community. The course, covering 24 class periods started October 1st, and was completed December 17. Only a limited number attended the lectures regularly, so at this time it seems doubtful if we are justified to expect our busy staff members to repeat the course early in 1941. It is likely that a greater degree of interest may be evident at a later period which would warrant repetition of the project.
Graduation Exercises
Graduation exercises were held on Wednesday, June the twelfth, and for the first time in many years it was not possible to have the exercises out-of-doors.
We are grateful to Mr. Muir. Superintendent of Schools, for the use of the High School Auditorium. The address was given by Dr. Charles F. Wilinsky, Executive Director of the Beth Is- rael Hospital, Boston.
234
CITY OF QUINCY
Alumnae Scholarship
The Nurses' Alumnae Association awarded its first $300 schol- arship to the member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the Committee, had maintained a consistently high average in the theory and practice of nursing throughout the three years. Miss Barbara E. Hobbs, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, presented the scholarship to Miss Ruth J. Kjellander, and named as her alternate, Miss Eda Nereo. The scholarship is to be used for post-graduate study in nursing within five years of the time of award. It is indeed gratifying to have such a splendid incentive for the student group. We believe it will be conducive for the develop- ment of latent potential abilities for leadership. We can think of 110 finer contribution for the Alumnae Association to make to its school, and we sincerely trust they will have enduring satisfactions from their efforts.
Library Fund
A generous gift of $1500 from the estate of the late Richard F. Raycroft has been allocated to the School of Nursing for the purpose of providing refernce books for the school library. This amount should enable us to add new and carefully selected vol- umes in sufficient numbers as they are needed.
Laboratory Equipment
We are pleased to report that we now have eight microscopes for use in the Science laboratory. One is now shared between two students, which enables them to do more careful and meaningful laboratory work.
Student's Death
We regretfully report the untimely death of Miss Jean Beal of the class of 1941. She was one of our most promising senior students. Possessed of a vibrant personality and a high degree of ability, she early made a place for herself in the school. Miss Beal was universally popular with her patients and co-workers, and it may well be said of her that she epitomized joy in the service to suffering humanity.
New Members Appointed To Advisory Committee
We are confident that the new members appointed to the Ad- visory Committee will be able to make a definite contribution to the school for each represents a professional field closely allied to nursing. We were pleased to welcome Miss Katherine Bacon, Prin- cipal of Woodward School, and Mrs. Wilfred Funnell, of Wollaston, as new members of the Advisory Committee.
Answer To A Need
We have long felt the need of some one person on the staff who had time to assist the student nurses with their extra-curricula activities. Through the interest of the Women's Auxiliary, we now have Mrs. William Lund coming to the residence for a limited time each week. Even though the project has been under way only for
235
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
a few months, the results we believe have been helpful. Play-time for young students is essential and it has become more meaning- ful for there is now someone to help organize and initiate various affairs. Group activities are more enjoyable, and we anticipate as other out-of-door activities are added, that the health angle will improve.
Late this year the School of Nursing filed application with the Committee on Accerditation for a survey to be made of the school in 1941. This is done under the auspices of the National League of Nursing Education.
Each year brings its problems and challenges. This past year has been a very active one for all members of the nursing depart- ment. The head nurses in the larger and busiest wards are finding it increasingly difficult to give the necessary time from their press- ing administrative duties to their important student teaching duties. We believe trained clinical secretaries would relieve much of the pressure in these divisions, and it is a step which should be taken as soon as possible.
We are most appreciative of the co-operative spirit of the personnel who have carried on day by day endeavoring to give quality nursing care to the sick of this community.
Respectfully submitted, HELEN O. POTTER, R.N., Superintendent of Nurses
236
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital :
GENTLEMEN :
The increase in the average daily census of the hospital has created a corresponding increase in the work of the social service department, both in regards to financial investigations and the num- ber of social problems encountered. Our most common problem is that of procuring adequate convalescent, and more particularly chronic, care for our patients. It has been our experience to make rounds with the doctors of the medical service, and find that at least half the patients comprising the service are suffering from a chronic illness. These people could, and should, be treated else- where if there were somewhere else they might go; but the lack of adequate facilities not only in Quincy but throughout the State, and the expense involved in going to one of the many private homes force a majority of these patients to come to the hospital and remain here for a long time.
Because of the increase in the amount of work, it was deemed advisable to assign it in two parts, with the director dealing with all problems, economic and social, arising from the medical and surgical cases and the assistant handling accident investiga- tions and obstetric, pediatric, aural and dental cases, including the pre-natal clinic. We have found that this enables a worker to become more efficient by concentrating her work over a more re- stricted area.
I. Personnel
In March, 1940, we received the resignation of Miss Muriel Brady, who had been a member of the department since June. 1938. Miss Brady made many friends for the hospital during her stay with us and it was with deep regret that her resignation was accepted.
In her place, we now have Miss Pearl Feldman, a recent gradu- ate of the Simmons College School of Social Work, who came to us highly recommended by the School and by the Quincy social agencies where she had done her field work.
II. Cases Studied
The department interviewed the families of, and obtained fin- ancial and settlement histories on 2352 service cases. We examined the police records and contacted insurance companies and lawyers in regards to 196 cases of persons admitted to the hospital suffering from injuries received in autombile and other accidents.
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