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 1943 > Part 8
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2). Alterations to Hunting-3, thereby increasing bed capacity and other ward facilities by forty per cent.
3). Construction of an additional floor, with elevator service, to present surgical building-for central supply and sterilizing department, with corridor to Hunting building and to proposed four-story building.
4). Construction of a four-story building for-
a. Increasing and modernizing present Operating Room facilities (third floor).
b. Increasing and modernizing present Obstetrical and Nursery Departments (second floor).
c. Increasing dining room and kitchen facilities (fourth floor).
d. School of Nursing offices: Health Clinic for per- sonnel; Social Service Department; Offices for In- structors; Waiting Room for doctors to see relatives, etc. (first floor).
e. Accommodations for Laundry; Rest Rooms for all employees; Accident Room with an Admitting Office. (ground floor).
Home for the Aged
The time is here when some action must be taken in our city for the care of the aged in our community. Medical progress has made great strides in prolonging the lives of men and women. At present, we find 25% of the hospital beds for the acutely ill patients occu- pied by the aged and the infirm. These patients, oftentimes, cannot be given adequate care in the homes. Convalescent homes are over- crowded, State Infirmaries are filled to capacity. The question is,- what are we going to do with our aged loved ones?
Either the Federal, State, or the Municipal Government should make immediate plans to meet this great social problem. The grounds now owned by the City for hospital purposes would easily allow the construction of a hospital for the aged. Cost of main- tenance and supervision could be reduced to a minimum, under this arrangement. Authorities agree that the hospital, for the care of the acutely ill, is not a suitable environment for the care of the chronic patient.
Statistics
The following is a summary of the comparative statistics cover- ing the years since 1934:
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
Admissions
5,889
5,874
6,247
6,281
6,298
6,665
7,444
8,308
9,126
9,332
Births
839
819
832
883
925
915
1,079
1,268
1,561
1,674
Daily Average
158
168.3
179.3
181
183
196
221.2
236.5
253.2
260.7
Lowest Census
107
126
126
131
130
161
167
178
194
205
Highest Census
198
211
224
224
235
236
276
284
295
325
Laboratory Tests
16,681
18,066
23,697
20,835
23,350
29,840
34,520
37,477
39,163
36,980
Accidents
1,359
1,434
1,809
1,630
1,702
1,938
1,851
2,272
2,436
2,922
Psysiotherapy
6,171
7,137
9,432
8,914
9,563
9,804
9,412
9,932
8,815
8,225
Out-Patients
2,464
3,407
4,912
4,982
6,910
6,709
5,666
6,374
6,146
5,770
Operations
4,366
4,538
4,329
4,076
4,511
5,009
4,928
5,470
5,916
6,247
Patient Days
57,823
61,283
65,610
66,007
66,798
71,131
80,968
86,356
92,458
95,400
Deaths
253
254
254
268
262
278
289
287
326
354
Receipts
$180,834 $172,553
$194,913
$236,715 $221,308
$265,495 $302,581 $380,404 $465,972
$496,779.79
Pay Roll
$187,701 $202,782 $218,895 $235,088
$248,596
$258,610
$272,476 $292,467 $327,067*
$321,611.91*
Expenses
$143,651 $146,989 $146,888 $155,999 $153,018
$177,114 $181,437 $204,407 $215,615
$238,612.53
Total Expenses
$332,931
$351,777 $365,784 $391,087 $401,615
$435,724 $453,913 $496,874 $542,682
$560,224.44
Net Deficit to City .. $152,097 $117,219 $170,870 $154,371 $180,306
$170,229 $151,332 $116,460
$76,710*
$63,444.65*
Per-Diem Cost
$5.92
$6.08
$5.58
$5.92
$6.00
$6.00
$5.60
$5.72
$5.87
$5.87+
Per-Diem Cost-Excluding Infant Days
$7.13
Per-Diem Cost-All Inclusive
$5.87
$5.87
Per-Diem Cost-Including Special Compensation
$6.19
$6.58
Per-Diem Cost-Excluding Infant Days
$7.46
$8.26
..
..
* This does not include the special stipend given by the Mayor and the City Council, which is given to all City Employees.
+ Includes Infant Days.
CITY OF QUINCY
130
..
3,192
3,502
3,736
4,038
4,431
4,895
6,066
5,939
5,454
5,168
X-Ray Exams
..
..
8-hr. day
131
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
REPORT OF NURSING SERVICE-1942-1943
In a brief report comparative figures can serve as an effective means of indicating the changing situation in an organization during an expanding period.
DECEMBER 31, 1938
DECEMBER 31, 1943
Daily average number of
Daily average number of patients 260.7
patients 183
Superintendent of Nurses 1
1
Asst. Supt. of Nurses 1
1
Ward Instructors and Day Supervisor 1
2
Instructors 2
2
Asst. Instructors 0
2
Night Supervisors 2
3
Supervisors Special Depts. 2
11/2
Head Nurses and Assistants 14
16
Graduate Staff Nurses 74
43
(Full time)
Graduate Staff Nurses 0
17
(Part time)
Student Nurses
Senior Students
14
34
Intermediate Students
16
41
Junior Students 20
40
Total 50
Total 115
Less students absent at
affiliation, ill, vacation,
or other causes 15
46
On duty in home school
35
69
The nursing service has been carried on during the past year, with a depleted and inadequate staff of experienced, permanent nurses. Without the help which we received from the group of graduate nurses who have worked a few hours a day, the Volunteer Red Cross Aides, and the Male Volunteers, we would have been unable to function.
In July, the School of Nursing was approved by the United States Public Health Service, whereby applicants to the school are eligible to apply for an "all-expense scholarship" and become members of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. Enrolled stu- dents were permitted to make application for membership, and the majority of students in the school are now members of the Cadet Corps.
The accelerated program has necessitated a good many adjust- ments in the affiliating courses, as well as in the home school.
A class of 32 young women were granted the diploma of the school at the formal graduation exercises on June 24, 1943. It was the largest graduating class in the history of the school. Miss Sophie C. Nelson, R.N., Vice-Chairman, National Nursing Council for War Service, gave the address. Four members from this class are already serving with the military forces outside the United States.
132
CITY OF QUINCY
In response to the request of the United States Public Health Service, every effort has been made to enroll a maximum number of qualified applicants. Housing accommodations limit the number of students we are able to admit to the school twice each year. In January, 1943, there were 19 students admitted, and in August, 1943, there were 27 students. Twenty-six applications have been accepted for the class entering January, 1944.
We acknowledge with gratitude, the services of all those loyal members of the staff, who have carried on to the best of their ability during these trying times. Graduate nurses, students, and volunteers, have demonstrated that they too can be good soldiers, albeit they are stationed on the home front.
REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
The following is a brief report of the work of the Social Service Department for the year 1943. Although there has been a decrease of seventeen per cent in the number of cases investigated, we find that our ingenuity and knowledge of community resources are being taxed to even greater extent in trying to solve the types of problems now confronting us. Financial dependence is no longer the chief source of trouble in which people ask our help, and chronic and convalescent care, especially for the aged and infirm, homes for unwanted babies, and health service of all types to servicemen's dependents are now our main concern.
I. Case Load
Total cases investigated
1,408
Service patients 1,162
Accident cases
143
Old accounts 103
Financial arrangements made on service cases :
Free
88
Part-pay
52
Referred to Welfare or Health Departments 105
725
Welfare patients
58
Old Age Assistance patients
95
Aid to Dependent Children patients 39
Number of outside calls made.
497
Referrals:
To other clinics and hospitals
20
To City Home
6
To Visiting Nurse Association Home Nursing
8
Nutritionist
2
To convalescent homes
34
Home Service .
4
Motor Corps
8
To other social agencies
25
For surgical appliances 3
To boarding homes
4
Prenatal Clinc:
Total number of patients 68
Total number of visits
260
Pay
To Red Cross
133
REPORT OF CITY HOSPITAL
II. Social Service Committee
Because of wartime restrictions in social functions, the Social Service Committee did not hold its Annual Ball in 1943. In its stead, a bridge party was given in the new building, Ward A, on June 21, 1943. The public responded generously, and many people came to the bridge in order to see the new building, and the Com- mittee realized a net profit of $274.73.
This year the Committee gave the hospital three humidifiers for use in treating respiratory diseases on the Children's Ward, and it also bought a stove for the day nursery in the Sears' building.
III.
The way in which the Social Service Department can best serve the individual patient, especially those with social problems which affect their medical needs, is thorough co-ordination of all the de- partments in the hospital into a single-working unit.
Appreciation
To Mayor Charles A. Ross, the City Council, to all City depart- ment heads and their staffs, we extend our sincere thanks and ap- preciation for the help given the hospital on every occasion when called upon by your Superintendent.
For the patients and the hospital personnel, we extend our ap- preciation to our many friends, the Needlework Guild, all civic clubs, the various garden clubs, and other organizations for their kind generosity in sending magazines, clothing, toys, scrapbooks, and flowers to the hospital.
To the Quincy Patriot Ledger and its staff, we wish to say, "thank you" for their sustaining co-operation and continued help in bringing to the citizens of our community the story of the work at the Quincy City Hospital.
The work of 1943 could not have been accomplished without a staff of co-operative and faithful assistants and employees. To all of these I wish to say that I am grateful for their assistance, and I ask for their continued co-operation for the coming year.
For the many hours of free and valuable service given to the patients admitted to our hospital, I wish to extend, for the grate- ful patients and for the administration, our sincere thanks to all the doctors that have made this possible.
It is a privilege, at this time, to express my appreciation to the Board of Managers for their continued co-operation and advice during this most difficult period.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH P. LEONE, M.D., Superintendent.
134
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
HON. CHARLES A. Ross, Mayor of the City of Quincy :
The Department of Public Welfare respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1943: General Relief
Conditions brought about by the War have somewhat changed the nature of our General Relief work. Our average case load has remained about the same throughout the year, but unemployment has practically disappeared as a reason for dependency. Illness and families disrupted by domestic troubles are now the principal causes for the granting of assistance in our General Relief division. Our staff has been further reduced by the transfer of a military substitute Social Worker to our Old Age Assistance division.
Including both General Relief and Hospital Aid, we received 93 notices from the State and other cities and towns, of which we acknowledged responsibility for 45 and denied 48. We sent 248 legal notices to the State and other cities and towns to hold them responsible for their aid or hospitalization rendered here, of which 227 were acknowledged and 21 denied. Much work was done on automobile accident and workmen's compensation cases with a view to seeing that the hospital bills were paid out of any insurance settlements. The War brought on much more work in handling servicemen's cases. Dependents of these men had to be provided for until the family started to receive the man's allotment. We had to assume responsibility until arrangements were made to have some other department or organization take the case over. We also had many cases of dependents of servicemen referred to us on hospitalization.
The Federal Stamp Plan that was operating in the city for several years went out of existence on February 28, 1943. This plan assisted welfare recipients and low income groups with ad- ditional purchasing power for vegetables and fruits. The amount of stamps issued since January 1st was valued at $5,814.00.
On March 1, 1943 a new plan was started known as the Milk Stamp Plan permitting the same group to purchase milk-the allowance according to size of family at six cents per quart. This program was also abolished June 30, 1943, the amount of stamps sold being $253.50.
We have continued to use one truck in the work of our depart- ment. During the year we have used it 86 days for the pick-up and delivery of wood; 72 days or parts thereof in picking up Surplus Commodities from warehouses and freight depots and delivering same to needy persons and institutions in our city. Our chauffeur also made 102 pick-ups and deliveries of furniture which includes moving of needy families, and transported 34 patients to and from hospitals and other institutions. We have been able to assist the Red Cross and other social agencies from time to time in their transportation problems.
135
REPORT OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT
W. P. A.
The W. P. A. program closed down completely in June of 1943 but fortunately most all of these people were absorbed in private employment or war work.
Coal
It became apparent in the Fall of the year that an emergency would be likely to arise out of the shortage of anthracite coal. As a result a committee was created by Mayor Ross to make plans to cope with any situation that might arise and thereby prevent suffering. It was decided by this committee to set up an Emer- gency Coal Bank at the Public Welfare Department so that Quincy citizens might purchase emergency supplies. Mr. Venna was to dis- tribute this coal in 100 or 200 pound lots after investigation by his department of the need of applicants and taking steps to obtain early delivery of the coal by the coal companies in the regular course of business. Up to the date of this report 73 families had been tided over in emergencies, but from all indications, this prob- lem will increase sharply before the end of Winter.
Selective Service
We have continued to furnish our three local Selective Service Boards with written reports of investigations made by us when so requested on prospective inductees. These requests have usually followed claims of unusual hardship made to the said Boards, and we trust that our reports have proved helpful.
Clinic and Dispensary
Our clinic operates one day weekly and our pharmacy distributes to General Relief cases only-the Federal Government forbidding Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children cases the use of the pharmacy. The clinic is under the supervision of our City Physician, Dr. Macleod; and Mr. Walsh, Superintendent of the City Home, continues as our pharmacist.
City Home
Our City Infirmary has in the past been assisted in man hours of labor by general outside welfare help in the upkeep of the property, the maintenance of wood, supplies, and the care of the garden, but the inmates responded well to their war responsibilities. The gar- den has been wonderfully productive the past season. In addition to all fresh vegetables in season, we have been able to stock enough for the winter. The Infirmary is in need of several major repairs including the fire alarm system which should be completed, and the house needs painting and some repair work.
Old Age Assistance
During 1943 the Old Age case load has been reduced from 977 to 870 as of January 1, 1944. There has been a continued reduction during the last few years because of good employment and high wages in the community. Another reason is that new legislation in Massachusetts on Old Age Assistance became effective on September 8, 1943 which requires more adequate, more uniform, more equitable standards in determining need and establishing the amounts of assistance to be paid. It also places on the children a responsibility for the full or partial contribution towards the sup-
136.
CITY OF QUINCY
port of their parents. The amount of their responsibility is based on the amount of income they receive, consideration being given to the war-time cost of living and heavy taxes. Old Age Assistance is granted on a budgetary system, which is changed periodically by the State Department of Public Welfare to meet new legislation and economic conditions. On July 7, 1943 our City Council approved and appropriated sufficient funds to increase the personnel with two social workers and one clerk. This was done to make an adequate number of workers. At the recommendation of the State Department of Public Welfare, Chapter 22 of the City ordinance was revised. After consultation with our City Physician minor changes were also made in Chapter 23.
Aid to Dependent Children
In the Aid to Dependent Children division during 1943 the case load dropped from 110 to 92, a net decrease of 18 cases. This was due to the increased opportunities for employment of the older children in these families at higher wages. The mandatory State budget was revised twice during the year in accordance with the increase in the cost of living. Because of this, the cost per case rose sharply, and it is expected that this upward trend will con- tinue in 1944. A few military cases were aided early in the year, but later on the Red Cross decided to aid this type of case until war allowances were received, and for the past several months, these military cases have been referred to the Red Cross, thus relieving the division of this responsibility.
We again wish to express our appreciation of the continued co- operation manifested during the past year by the various depart- ments and organizations throughout the community.
For details of expenditures, reference is made to report of the Auditor of Accounts.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTHONY J. VENNA, Welfare Agent.
137
REPORT OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Appropriations and Transfers
Salaries
$12,730.00
Expense
1,200.00
Auto Maintenance
1,200.00
City Home Salaries
3,412.00
City Home
5,200.00
Outside Aid
45,857.58
Food Stamp Plan Salaries
1,165.32
Food Stamp Plan Expense
400.00
$71,164.90
Expenditures
Salaries
$12,150.80
Expense
1,177.56
Auto Maintenance
1,199.14
City Home Salaries
3,320.28
City Home
5,058.55
Outside Aid
45,849.59
Food Stamp Plan Salaries
1,150.32
Food Stamp Plan Expense
124.27
$70,030.51
Receipts for 1943 Outside Aid
State Department of Public Welfare
$8,959.67
Other Cities and Towns
1,399.76
Individuals
1,412.63
$11,772.06
Aid to Dependent Children
State Department of Public Wefare
$47,259.83
$47,259.83
Old Age Assistance
State Department of Pubic Wefare $172,798.27
Other Cities and Towns
6,339.58
Individuals
93.50
$179,231.35
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT Receipts
City Appropriation 1943
$225,000.00
Transferred to Salary account
681.25
Net Appropriation
$224,318.75
Balance Federal Grants 1/1/43
7,281.94
Federal Grants received during 1943
179,584.21
$411,184.90
Expenditures
Payrolls (Conv. care $29,081.80)
$375,084.35
Quincy City Hospital
5,538.00
Massachusetts General Hospital
116.30
138
CITY OF QUINCY
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
314.70
Lahey Clinic
203.00
Weymouth Hospital
61.00
Palmer Memorial Hospital
157.28
Dr. Whalen Cancer Treatments
62.50
Burials and Graves purchased
2,427.00
Quincy settled cases elsewhere
7,256.25
Nursing Care allowed
3,930.00
Surgical supplies (trusses, braces, etc.)
68.50
Doctor's care allowed
2,582.00
Eye Specialists' care
122.00
Glasses allowed
235.40
Special Crutch for eye
50.00
Foot treatments
142.00
Dental care allowed
(Extractions-repairs)
55.00
Dentures supplied
200.00
Medicine approved (Sept. 8)
196.37
Balance
$398,801.65 $12,383.25
Administration Receipts
City Appropriations
$5,802.25
Transferred from O.A.A. to Salary Acct.
681.25
Balance Federal Grants 1/1/43 Adm.
2,664.78
Federal Grants Adm. received 1943
5,987.03
$15,135.31
Expenditures
Salaries
$10,924.84
Office Expense
1,511.95
Auto Maintenance
777.99
$13,214.78
Balance
$1,920.53
Aid to Dependent Children
Receipts :
Appropriations
$65,942.00
Federal Grants-Balance Jan. 1, 1943
14,177.11
Federal Grants received during 1943
20,540.45
$100,659.56
Expenditures :
Cash (Payrolls)
$90,533.04
$90,533.04
Balance
$10,126.52
ADMINISTRATION
Receipts :
Appropriations
$2,528.50
Federal Grants Adm.
Balance Jan. 1, 1943
276.63
Federal Grants Adm.
Received during 1943
2,912.03
$5,717.16
139
REPORT OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Expenditures :
Salaries
$4,296.61
Auto Maintenance
143.21
Office Expense
148.87
$4,588.69
Balance $1,128.47
City Home
Number of inmates January 1, 1943
15
Number of inmates admitted during the year 1943 74
Total number during the year 1943 89
Number discharged during the year 1943 75
Number of inmates in City Home January 1, 1944 14
Aid to Dependent Children
Number of families aided under Chap. 118-Jan. 1, 1943 110
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 118-Jan. 1, 1943 431
Cases closed during the year 1943 53
Cases added during the year 1943 35
Number of families aided under Chap. 118-Jan. 1, 1944 .. 92
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 118-Jan 1, 1944
359
Outside Aid
Number of families aided under Chap. 117-Jan. 1, 1943 .. 129
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 117-Jan. 1, 1943 209
Number of families having no settlement
49
Number of families having settlement other cities and towns
11
Number of families added during the year 1943
140
Number of families discharged during the year 1943 157
Number of families aided under Chap. 117-Jan. 1, 1944
112
Number of cases cared for in Mass. Hosp. School, Canton Number of cases cared for by Division Child Guardianship
2
Number of cases cared for in private families-Minors 5
Number of cases cared for in private families-Adults
1
Number of cases cared for at Tewksbury Infirmary
8
Number of cases cared for in private hospitals
28
Number of cases cared for in Mass. Eye & Ear and Mass. General
6
Old Age Assistance
Number of cases aided under Chap .. 118a G.L. as of Jan. 1, 1943 977
Number of cases aided under Chap. 118a G.L. as of Jan. 1, 1944 870
Number of cases added during 1943
(New cases 114; reinstated 56) 170
Number of cases closed during 1943 277
(Deaths-79 Transfers-26 Discontinued-172)
Number of cases hospitalized at Quincy City Hospital 112
Number of cases hospitalized at Mass. Eye & Ear Infirm'y 10
Number of cases hospitalized at Mass. General Hospital ..
5
Number of cases hospitalized at Weymouth Hospital 1
8
140
CITY OF QUINCY
Number of cases hospitalized at Palmer Mem. Hospital .... 2 19
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Wellington Home .... Number of cases receiving conv. care-Wollaston Rest Home
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Whitten Home
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Falconer Home
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Tredenick Home .... Number of cases receiving conv. care-Mullaney's Home ....
26 1
Number of cases receiving conv. care-McAuley's Home
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Ostlund's Home ...
6 7
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Cook's Home
14
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Horne's Home
10
Number of cases receiving conv. care-Braintree Home
1
Number of patients receiving conv. care-Clark's Home
4
Number of cases receiving Doctor's care
198
Number of cases receiving Medicine
154
Number of cases receiving Surgical appliances
4
Number of cases receiving Nursing Care
53
Number of cases receiving Dental Care
5
Number of cases receiving Dentures
6
Number of cases receiving
Special Eye Treatment
18
Number of cases receiving
Glasses
27
Number of cases receiving
Repairs to Glasses
2
Number of cases receiving Foot Treatments
12
Number of cases receiving Allowance for Burial
22
Number of cases receiving Extra Provision for Graves
7
Analysis of cases on aid January 1, 1944
870
Quincy settled
494
Settled Other Cities and Towns 118
Unsettled Cases
258
Cases Rejected
Too much property
3
Not in need
17
Died before aided
2
Removed elsewhere
3
Children able to support
58
Not deserving
1
8 7 6
84
141
REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN
REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN
January 1, 1944.
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1943.
Number of House Visits
518
Number of Office Calls 18
Number patients treated at Clinics 287
Number patients referred to Hospital from Clinics
22
Number patients referred to Eye, Ears, Nose and Throat Specialist
9
Number of Vaccinations
10
Number of Minor Operations and Special Treatments 12
Number of Physical Examinations 129
Number of Police Calls
13
Respectfuly submitted,
JOHN M. MacLEOD, M.D., City Physician.
142
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1944.
HON. CHARLES A. ROSS, Mayor of City of Quincy.
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31st, 1943.
Personnel of Force
Chief John J. Avery
Captains
Daniel H. Doran
George W. Fallon William F. McIntyre
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