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 1941 > Part 8
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We have outgrown many of the facilities at the hospital, espe- cially the service building, which contains the laundry, boiler plant, kitchens, and employees' rest rooms. Our serving facilities, for the feeding of our nurses and other employees, are most inade- quate for lack of space. In the overcrowded dining rooms, over four-hundred employees must be fed in the short space of one and one-half hours. The present dining rooms were originally built to accommodate a maximum number of three-hundred em- ployees. We have exceeded this figure for more than two years.
Present Employees' Rest Rooms Inadequate
All signs point to a larger number of patients being admitted for 1942. This will require larger personnel, further crowding our service building facilities. Many of our employees work a broken shift. At present, we have inadequate accommodations where these employees may rest until time to report to duty. The employees of the Dietary and Housekeeping Departments are those affected mostly by the broken-hour schedule at the present time.
The Quincy City Hospital, its staff, and facilities, play a major part in maintaining the good health conditions in Quincy. The step-up in general industrial activities in our city and sur- rounding communities has already affected the hospital. More pa- tients and more accidents demand more hospital service. The hos- pital is called upon to train more nurses and nurses' aides. The responsibilities placed on the hospital must be met, and they will be met, providing adequate facilities are had, and reasonable wages paid to its employees. Private industry already has taken a toll of our nurses and employees by offering them higher wages. We have suffered a tremendous turnover in personnel in all de- partments. The efficiency of an organization is bound to suffer. Higher pay to all hospital workers may be the answer to keeping up the morale and efficiency at the hospital.
Lowest Deficit in Ten Years
The expenditures for all hospital activities for 1941 were $496,864.00, with receipts of $380,404.00, showing a net deficit of $116,460.00. This is the lowest figure yet obtained in the experi- ence of the hospital, for the past ten years.
During this decade, the hospital has grown in capacity, more patients have been cared for, modern equipment has always been
135
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
available, the School of Nursing has trained more nurses, and more men and women have been given employment. The hospital is one of the "larger industries" in our community, employing some three-hundred men and women, with a $300,000.00 per-year pay roll.
City Departments Co-operate
The results accomplished in 1941 were possible because of the hearty co-operation of the Board of Managers with the Superin- tendent. The Superintendent, who is in charge, has had faithful and splendid teamwork from the department heads and the em- ployees in their respective departments. A close supervision on the part of the administrative staff, with the aid of our City Pur- chasing Agent, Mr. John Lane and his staff, contributed a good share in producing a good financial picture.
National Youth Administration
In some departments, our staff of employees was augmented by N. Y. A. boys and girls. We have tried to teach these young people various types of hospital work. They have been a great help to our staff in meeting the needs of our patients.
W. P. A.
The enclosure of the porches of the M&S building, by the W. P. A., made it possible for us to accommodate more bed pa- tients in the hospital this year. Had it not been for this, it would have been necessary either to refuse admission of patients, or place them in crowded rooms and corridors.
More Beds Necessary
Even with these porches, we still need more beds. Porches should be used for emergency purposes only, and not to meet the normal hospital requirements of a growing community. Accom- modations for at least fifty additional beds should be made avail- able as soon as possible.
Shortage of Nurses
Hospitals throughout the country are experiencing a shortage of nurses. In Quincy, we are meeting the shortage with student nurses. Our school has increased its enrollment to 117 students. It's been necessary to move out of the homes some thirty graduate nurses, in order to house the additional students. Two additional instructors have been added to our staff to teach and supervise these students. The Quincy City Hospital is co-operating with our government in speeding the nurses' program to meet this shortage. Our speed-up program started some two years ago. We are now benefitting from this program, since it was approved by the Board of Managers at the time, who saw the present emergency ap- proaching.
Red Cross
The hospital facilities have been made available to the Red Cross for teaching Red Cross courses to nurses' aides. A group of our nurses were given a First-Aid course by our genial friend, Mr. Benjamin Hodgkinson. After the completion of this course, several of our nurses took further courses to qualify themselves for future instructors on First Aid. Our student nurses are now being given instruction on First Aid.
136
CITY OF QUINCY
Blue Cross
Improved economic conditions in our community had its good effect on our budget. Nine per cent of our total receipts (or the sum of $35,000.00) was received from Blue Cross patients that were treated in our hospital.
New Equipment Produces Efficiency
Your Superintendent appreciates the co-operation given him by the Board of Managers in securing modern machinery and equipment to perform the various tasks in the different depart- ments of the hospital. Efficiency, due to new equipment, has con- tributed greatly in the low hospital costs at Quincy. New equip- ment was added, and other improvements were made, as follows :-
New Equipment :
1. Two new kitchen ranges.
2. One steam jacket soup kettle.
3. New DeWalt buzz saw.
4. New suction machine for Operating Room.
5. A Deep X-ray Therapy Machine for the treatment of cancer.
6. A new Packard ambulance.
Major Improvements:
1. Sound-proofing of ceilings in nurses' and help Dining Rooms. New ventilating system installed in the laundry.
2. Automatic feed of boilers and new oil guns, especially made by our Chief Engineer, Mr. Carl Eriksson.
Heating Department
The hospital is fortunate in having as its Chief Engineer, Mr. Carl Eriksson, and a staff of capable firemen. Mr. Eriksson has invented and given to the hospital a new oil burner for our boilers. These instruments have been connected to an automatic feed ar- rangement and smoke indicator, which have reduced the amount of oil used at the hospital. The efficiency in the operation of the heating department is also due to the interest and close co-opera- tion of all the firemen with our Chief Engineer and Superintendent.
Part-Time Occupational Therapist
The services of a part-time Occupational Therapist have been made available to our patients this year, through the Social Service Fund. Miss Elizabeth Marston, of Wollaston, is in charge of this work.
Hospital Veterans Leave Employ
Employees who have been in the service of the hospital for more than five years who have left our employ this past year, are: Mrs. Annabelle Kerr, Telephone Operator since 1917; Mrs. Edna Swain, Stenographer in Record Room since 1936; Mrs. Rebecca Philbrick, X-ray Technician since 1933; Miss Marie Haley, Head Nurse since 1931; Mrs. Jessie Bishop, Anesthetist since 1930; Mr. Everett Gomez, Maintenance Man since 1933; Mr. Charles Boyle, Electrician since 1932.
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REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
Deaths
We regret to record the deaths of two of our beloved members of our hospital family-Dr. Elmon R. Johnson, member of our hos- pital staff since 1896, and Mr. Gilbert Balkam, a member of the Training School Committee since 1936.
Plea for Co-operation
During these difficult times, it will be necessary for all the departments of the hospital to operate as a unit. The medical staff, the Board of Managers, and the administration must be ready to meet the added responsibilities which have been placed upon the hospital by the war.
Reduce Waste
Supplies of all types have risen in cost and are difficult to obtain. It rests upon the medical and nursing staffs to conserve supplies and equipment. It will be the responsibility of all to help conserve food and all other supplies.
Many more problems have risen in hospitals as a result of the war and the large turnover of hospital personnel. These war conditions will call for more patience and tolerance on the part of the staff and all those in charge.
Appreciation
In closing, I wish to extend my sincere thanks and apprecia- tion to the Board of Managers for their continued advice and sup- port in meeting the problems of our hospital.
To the medical staff, for their continued co-operation and help in the care of the sick, I wish to express my thanks.
May I take this opportunity in thanking the many friends, members of the Auxiliary, the Nursing Committee, and the Social Service Committee, for their splendid co-operation in the past year.
Hospital progress would be difficult without the aid of the Mayor, our City Council, all city departments, and the Quincy Patriot-Ledger. To all, I extend my sincere thanks.
Throughout the year, the patients have received many maga- zines, toys, wearing apparel, candy, and fruits. We are unable to list the names of these kind friends; therefore, we wish to thank you in behalf of the patients and those of us in charge.
The Quincy Needlework Guild again furnished clothes for our Children's Ward. May I express my thanks to them for their con- tinued interest in the hospital.
We wish to register our appreciation and thanks to the various organizations and groups for the entertainment given to our pa- tients through song or gifts.
The success of any organization depends on the personnel, as well as those in charge. We are fortunate in having a faithful, conscientious group of employees. The entire personnel has been co-operative, and has met the added burdens placed on them from increased use of our hospital facilities. I give due credit to them and wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to each and every one of them. I hope that they will continue in this emergency, as they have in the past.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH P. LEONE, M.D., Superintendent.
138
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
Admissions
5,331
5,584
5,889
5,874
6,247
6,281
6,298
6,665
7,444
8,308
Births
849
818
839
819
832
883
925
915
1,079
1,268
Daily Average
148
154
158
168.3
179.3
181
183
196
221.2
236.5
Lowest Census
106
102
107
126
126
131
130
161
167
178
Highest Census
199
206
198
211
224
224
235
236
276
284
Laboratory Tests
12,276
16,151
16,681
18,066
23,697
20,835
23,350
29,840
34,520
37,477
X-Ray Exams.
4,912
3,631
3,192
3,502
3,736
4,038
4,431
4,895
6,066
5,939
Accidents
926
1,080
1,359
1,434
1,809
1,630
1,702
1,938
1,851
2,272
Physiotherapy
6,341
5,880
6,171
7,137
9,432
8,914
9,563
9,804
9,412
9,932
Out-Patients
2,938
2,466
2,464
3,407
4,912
4,982
6,910
6,709
5,666
6,374
Operations
2,705
2,797
4,366
4,538
4,329
4,076
4,511
5,009
4,928
5,470
Patient Days
54,288
56,206
57,823
61,283
65,610
66,007
66,798
72,131
80,968
86,356
Deaths
252
270
253
254
254
268
262
278
289
287
8-hr. day
Receipts
$170,144 $159,905 $180,834 $172,553 $194,913 $236,715 $221,308 $265,495
$302,581 $380,404
Pay Roll
$179,579 $178,238 $187,701 $202,782 $218,895 $235,088 $248,596 $258,610
$272,476 $292,467
Expenses
$134,723 $119,950 $143,651 $146,989 $146,888 $155,999 $153,018 $177,114 $181,437
$204,407
Total Expenses
$314,303 $298,188 $332,931 $351,777 $365,784 $391,087 $401,615 $435,724 $453,913 $496,864
Net Deficit to City
$144,159 $136,282 $152,097 $177,219 $170,870 $154,371 $180,306 $170,229 $151,332 $116,460
Per-Diem Cost
$5.78
$5.30
$5.92
$6.08
$5.58
$5.92
$6.00
$6.00
$5.60
$5.72
1. Pre
2. New
Natal
Adm.
Clinic.
Bldg.
3. Tumor Clinic 4. Nurses' Home
..
CITY OF QUINCY
139
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 :
Early in 1941 it was evident that the national defense pro- gram would affect the nursing service in civilian hospitals and in preparation for this emergency, it seemed expedient for us to step up the enrollment of students in the school of nursing to the ca- pacity of the available clinical services in the wards. Housing accommodations also had to be given consideration.
We have admitted larger classes of students twice each year and a month earlier than formerly. The growth of the student nurse group is shown by the comparative figures:
January, 1937
January, 1942
Senior
13
Senior 19
Intermediate
13
Intermediate
34
Junior
3
Junior
39
Preliminary
11
Preliminary 25
40
117
The daily average number of patients for the same years are: January, 1937 January, 1942
Daily average patients 179.3 Daily average patients 236.5
In view of the fact that it has become increasingly difficult to secure an adequate number of graduate staff duty nurses to supplement the student nurses' services in the care of patients, it seemed that increased enrollment of student nurses was one of the solutions for the existing shortage.
During the year we have experienced many changes among the graduate personnel, a number of whom have been released for military services. Added to the losses we have had a higher inci- dence of illness among the faculty and graduate staff. Both tem- porary and permanent positions are increasingly difficult to fill.
For many months it has not been possible to maintain the reg- ular quota of general staff duty nurses, and we commonly function with from 8 to 12 vacancies. Neither of these situations are con- ducive to peak efficiency.
In co-operation with the local Chapter of the American Red Cross a class was started in December to train women to become Volunteer Red Cross Nurses' Aides. Those who complete the course agree to give the minimum number of 150 hours of service to the hospital each year. It is anticipated that a second class will be organized as soon as the enrollment warrants. These workers will be another means of easing the national shortage of nurses.
Plans made for a survey of the school by the Committee on Accreditation were cancelled until such time as we are able to function more normally.
Graduation exercises were held on June 12, 1941 for a class numbering 18. The majority of these young graduates are now employed at the hospital either in executive positions or as private duty nurses.
140
CITY OF QUINCY
We wish to express our appreciation to the Doctors of the staff for their generous contribution to the school as year by year they assist us in carrying on the teaching program for the student nurses.
As our country enters upon a total war we realize that we will be called upon as individuals and as a group to make material sacrifices. This is a time when nurses, who are the best qualified, are in a position to make a valuable contribution to their country. It behooves us to maintain a sound educational program during these days of stress and strain so that our student of today will be in a position to make her contribution in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN O. POTTER, R.N., Superintendent of Nurses.
141
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
.
The extension of defense work, and the consequent re-employ- ment in private industry of vast numbers of men who for most of the depression years had had to support their families on a sub-normal or borderline subsistence level has decreased the num- ber of service patients admitted to the hospital, and consequently, the routine financial investigation of this department, in the amount of approximately one patient per day. This release has enabled us to improve the quality of our case work by giving us additional time to devote to the more deep-seated problems in- volved in medical social work. We may now build up the other intangible services to our patients, which had heretofore been of necessity kept back in the daily press of routine work. We have found that now we may give more time to the individual patient, get to know him and his background better, and follow his care through to the point where he no longer needs the helping hand of a social worker, instead of relegating others in the field to carry on after the patient has left the hospital. This has eliminated confusion and the need for adjustment on the part of the patient, and has increased greatly our own inner satisfactions as social case workers.
I. Personnel
In July, 1941, our efficient and reliable secretary, Miss Betty McNicol, resigned to go into private business. Throughout our two and one-half years' association we depended much on Miss McNicol's initiative and resourcefulness to handle the affairs of the office when the social workers were otherwise occupied.
In her place, we have Miss Dorothy Roberts, who has fitted admirably into the routine of the department.
II. Case Load
There were a total of 1,945 investigations of service patients, involving the gathering of financial and legal settlement data, and the adjustment of the bills of 280 persons. In addition, we investigated the financial status of 53 private patients, at the request of the admitting office or Dr. Leone, and helped in the adjustment of 37 old bills. There were 214 cases referred to the Department of Public Welfare or Health Department for reim- bursement.
There were 215 automobile accidents investigated, including inquiries into the ability to pay for hospital care and the contact- ing of police departments, lawyers, and insurance companies.
Special services included :
1. Referral to other clinics and hospitals. 37
2. Referral to the City Home. 8
3. Referral to the State Infirmary at Tewksbury. 4
4. Referral to the Convalescent Home of the Children's
Hospital
2
5. Provision for home nursing service .. 28
142
CITY OF QUINCY
6. Provision for convalescent or chronic care in the home or 53 in nursing homes.
7. Provision of surgical appliances. 8
8. Children placed in foster homes. 9
Workers in the department made 860 home visits and brought 8 patients to the hospital two and three times a week for treat- ments.
We talked to the student nurses on four occasions, discussing social aspects of various illnesses, and describing the work of the department. In addition, Miss Feldman arranged for students to accompany her on home visits to the families of patients on the pediatric service.
III. Tumor Clinic
There have been 18 new patients seen in Tumor Clinic of whom three have had cancer of the skin, one each of the breast, rectum and esophagus, one had a pre-cancerous condition, nine were found to have benign conditions, and one is still under observations.
The clinic social worker has attended four meetings of the State Cancer Program staff, held for the purpose of attaining unity of aim and method in the 23 state-aided cancer clinics.
IV. Prenatal Clinic
There were 150 new patients admitted to the clinic by the social service department, making a total of 676 visits in the year. Although the average clinic attendance has decreased considerably, it is interesting to note that the total decrease in the number of patients is only 15 per cent.
On October 9, 1941, we instituted a new service to patients in our clinic-routine X-ray of the chest to determine incipient or latent tuberculosis. To the Norfolk County Health Association, whose help makes this possible, and to the Visiting Nurse Associa- tion, which not only checks cliniq patients in their homes, but pro- vides us with the services of a competent nutritionist in the clinic, our sincere appreciation is hereby expressed.
V. Social Service Committee
The members of the Social Service Committee in 1941 were: Mrs. Malcolm Sargent, Chairman. Mrs. Fred Bergfors, Mrs. Alfred Brown, Mrs. F. Ramon Burke, Mrs. T. Vincent Corsini, Mrs. Ed- ward Dobbyn, Mrs. Harry E. Dupee, Jr., Miss Helen Gavin, Mrs. Robert O. Gilmore, Mr. and Mrs. Guy W. Hart, Mrs. Paul Karcher, Mrs. Edward M. Nathan, Mrs. Harold P. Newell, Miss Sadie Papile, Mrs. Merton Rix, Mrs. Joseph Serafini, Mrs. Frederick Tobben, Miss Carlena Walker, Miss Marjorie Welch, Mrs. Eugene Cox, Dr. Joseph P. Leone, and Miss Ruth Darr.
The Fifth Annual Charity Ball, of which Mr. Frank Remick was chairman, was held on April 25, 1941, at the Neighborhood Club, and netted the Committee the outstanding amount of $919.65, no small tribute to the executive ability of Mr. Remick, and to the splendid co-operation he received from the other members of the Committee.
The Third Annual Charity Bridge was held in the Conference Room of the hospital on December 1, 1941, and we realized the
143
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
amount of $82.00, in spite of the fact that for the first time, we had to pay an amusement tax.
The Committee voted to sponsor as a project the services of an occupational therapist to work with the convalescent patients, with their doctors' consent. Miss Marie Murphy of the Faulkner Hospital spoke to the Committee and showed how such work is of value in a general hospital, not only as a means of making the patient's hospital stay more pleasant but as a definite contribution to medical treatment. Patients kept otherwise occupied do not have time to worry about themselves, their families, or their business, and their recovery is hastened. In addition, exercise for diseased or unused muscles is much more pleasant when the patient is not conscious of it, but does it while performing some other task. We engaged the services of Miss Elizabeth Marston, a graduate of the School of Handicraft and Occupational Therapy, as a part-time occupational therapist. We feel Miss Marston has made a definite contribution to our facilities, and recommend that the Board of Managers consider seriously including this service as a permanent department of the institution.
The members of the Social Service Committee are all busy people, and we at the hospital genuinely appreciate their interest in, and devotion to, our institution.
VI. Acknowledgements
It has been noted by those coming from the larger urban areas that the friendly spirit of co-operation among the service agencies in Quincy is particularly marked. This is true, I feel, because the size of the community is such that the workers in the different agencies have an opportunity to meet and know personally not only all the other workers, but the executives and board members as well. This brings about a better understanding of the policies of each agency, and the ways in which agencies may augment, not overlap, one another.
We acknowledge, therefore, the helpful service rendered by the city government, especially Mr. Anthony Venna and his co- workers in the Department of Public Welfare, Miss Effie Waddell and Miss Carlena Walker, of the Family Welfare Society, Mrs. Grace Lee of the Visiting Nurse Association, and her efficient staff of nurses, as well as Miss Marjorie Foster, the nutritionist in her agency, Miss Elsie Thomas, of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Miss Helen Gavin, of the Quincy Court, Mr. James Carter and the other members of the staff of the Health Service of the Quincy School Department, through whom the Kiwanis Club financed 14 tonsil operations.
We also wish to acknowledge the splendid co-operation and help offered by the Administration and Staff of the Quincy Hos- pital which we have always felt were supporting us to the fullest extent.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH DARR, Director, Department of Social Service.
144
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE X-RAY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Managers of the Quincy City Hospital:
GENTLEMEN :
The following is a report of the work done in the X-ray De- partment during the year 1941.
Personnel
Elliot Vining, who has been with the department for three years, resigned to enter the Navy on February 20, 1941. His place was taken by John Williams, R. T., on March 6, 1941. He is still with us and is doing excellent work. Rebecca Philbrick, who has been connected with the department for several years, resigned on March 6, 1941, and her place was taken on March 17, 1941, by Virginia Spaulding, who also has proved to be a very satisfactory technician. The clerical work was done during most of the year by Phyllis Acebo and Mary McLaughlin. In the fall, they were moved to other departments in the hospital and their work was taken over by Mary Popowitz. She has fitted in well with the routine of the laboratory and transcribes the reports with speed and accuracy. Five N.Y.A. girls have worked during the entire year in bi-monthly shifts. They assist in the filing of films and reports, and answer the telephone. Their names are Virginia Beck, Ruth Nourse, Barbara Fassnacht, Corine Callahan, and Cath- erine Driscoll.
New Equipment Desired
We need an automatic thermostat in the dark room in order to keep the solutions at a definite temperature regardless of the tem- perature of the room.
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