USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1942 > Part 10
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Up to the time of his death, his donations exceeded $207,000, not counting various annual gifts given from time to time for needed equipment or special pur- poses. Under his will, he generously provided for further gifts, of which $155,000 has already been received and added to the permanent funds. Furthermore, his will directed that the residue of his estate, after the termination of the life interest of his widow, should be paid to the hospital
A new and much needed nurses' dormitory was built in 1940 through the generosity of the late Mrs. Darrah who left the hospital approximately $40,000 in her will and further provided that the proceeds of a trust of $20,000 are to come to the hospital after the life tenancy of the present beneficiary. The new building, fully equipped, cost $50.000 and has been named "The Fisher-Darrah Dormitory" in honor of the donor, Mrs. Sarah Fisher-Darrah.
We now have an up-to-date 125 bed hospital with a replacement value for the plant of approximately $600,000, well nigh complete in its appointments, witlı well-equipped and competently administered X-Ray, Laboratory and Physio- therapy departments.
A capable and devoted staff of physicians, superintendent and nurses, a con- sulting staff of physicians and surgeons of wide repute, and an interested public, largely represented through the effective help rendered by the women's organiza- tion now known as the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Aid Association, have resulted in the development of one of the finest hospitals in New England, with a standard of efficiency equivalent to that in many of the larger and well-known hospitals.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
January 11, 1943
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council
and to the Trustees of the Attleborough Hospital .
This 30th annual report, like its predecessors in recent years is record-brea- king, only more so: more patients-3378, more babies-855, and larger cash re- ceipts than ever before, exceeding our disbursements by nearly $8,000.
Maintenance of our approved standing by the American College of Surgeons, which has just been announced for another year, is our most significant and es- sential achievement. Second only thereto as a highlight of the year is the re- markable financial support which we have received.
Last November, following the suggestion of a friend of the hospital, a letter was sent to 75 concerns in the territory served by the hospital, calling attention to our accrued deficit and the favorable opportunity, from the tax angle, of making a contribution to this charitable organization. Without any personal solici- tation we have had generous responses from nearly two score business concerns, totalling over $12,000 at the time our books were closed for the year, with assu- rance of more to come. These contributions, together with our operating balance for the year, have reduced our deficit from $22,017.36 to $1,817.58.
Another notable gift was a check for $5,000 creating a memorial fund for our late mayor, Frank R. Sweet, and received from the concern which he so success- fully conduct ed for many years.
Requests were also received from the estates of Ella J. Blake and Nellie B. Lowney.
The book value of our securities, on December 31, 1942, was $360,271 18 having a market value of $358,359 .71.
128
ANNUAL REPORT
Our attempts to obtain federal permission to build the planned addition to our maternity wing, referred to in our report a year ago, and needed even more now, were not successful, so that we shall probably have to postpone further action until after the war.
Again we call attention to the large amount of free work performed by the hospital for, in addition to the amount definitely recorded as such, there is a much larger amount, which in effect is free work reflected in the substantial sum of un- paid accounts. Some are unable to pay, but many, in spite of skillful and recu- perative care, are apparently not disposed to pay without pressure.
However, we have collected 82 per cent of our 1942 charges which compares favorably with the experience of other institutions. The auditors report shows more than $94,000 in unpaid hospital charges carried in suspense account and it may appear absurd to record this, but over $4,000 was paid last year on bills in- curred prior to 1941, including a small amount on accounts prior to 1934.
The war effort has definitely affected our entire personnel-doctors, nurses and service staff-but all have carried on loyally and efficiently. The Gray Ladies have helped in many ways and the Nurses' Aides, who have just completed their training course, have already demonstrated their ability to render numerous necessary services in the hospital.
As usual, the Hospital Aid Association, club and church organizations, and umerous friends of the hospital merit our appreciative thanks.
We submit herewith an accounting of our expenditures of the 1942 municipal appropriation and the amounts required for similar purposes in 1943.
Harold E. Sweet, Chairman
Joseph Finberg Victor R. Glencross William J. Luther
Members Ex-Officio, 1941
Samuel M. Stone
John W. McIntyre, Mayor
Edwin F. Thayer
William Marshall, City Treasurer
Cyril K. Brennan,
Municipal Council Representative
Board of Managers, Attleborough Hospital, Inc., Operating Sturdy Memorial Hospital for the City of Attleboro.
Appropriated Expended Requested
1942
1942
1943
Water
$1,100.00
1,028.65
1,050.00
Insurance
85.00
207.57
210.00
Hydrant
60.00
60.00
60.00
Fuel and light.
8,500.00
8,448.41
7,065.00
Treasurer's Bond
25.00
25.00
25.00
$9,770.00
9,769.63
8,410.00
Balance
.37
127
ANNUAL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Trustees and Managers
of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report of the Hospital for the year ending December 31, 1942;
Total number of patients admitted to the hospital . 3378
Male
1233
Female.
2145
Out patients treated at the hospital 1036
X-Ray out-patients. 1323
Physiotherapy out-patients. 28
Basal metabolism out-patients
27
Total out-patients 2414
Total number of Private Cases admitted.
2688
Total number of Ward Cases admitted. 690
Total number of Children 12 years of age or under . 321
Medical patients admitted. 360
Adults
299
Children 61
Surgical patients admitted 986
Adults
905
Children
81
E. E. N. & T. patients admitted.
297
Adults
128
Children 169
Obstetrical patients admitted . 1735
Mothers
880
Babies
855
Total number of births.
872
Total number of live births
855
Total number of still births.
17
Total number of deaths for the year
120
Medical
71
Surgical 35
E. E. N. & T.
2
Obstetrical
2
Newborn
10
Deaths within 48 hours of admission
59
Deaths institutional . 61
Autopsies 11
Maximum number of patients.
113
Minimum number of patients.
74
Daily average for the year
90.75
Total number of accidents.
202
Automobile accidents
57
Industrial accidents
71
Other accidents.
74
128
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Operating-Room
Major operations 498
Minor operations 1066
Cystoscopies
7
Transfusions
70
Proctoscopies
5
Bronchoscopies
1
1
Laryngoscopies Total 1648
Report of the X-Ray Department
Fluroscopic examinations. 163
X-Ray examinations
1760
Total
1923
(1323 Out-patients; 600 House-patients.)
(73 Patients more than last year.)
Report of the Physiotherapy Department
40 Patients admitted to the Department.
(28 Out-patients; 12 House Patients.)
Treatments given:
Diathermy 302
443
Massage
Infra Red . 463
86
Sinusoidal
19
Total 1313
A very nice Hanovia Ultra-Violet Lamp was donated to the Physiotherapy Department by Mr. Royal Baker.
Report of Basal Metabolism
Basal Metabolism recordings. .
(27 Out-patients; 3 House patients.)
Report of the Laboratory
Blood Work:
W. B. C. 1878
R. B. C. . 1014
Hemoglobin 888
461
Coagulations
251
Typings
339
Sedimentation Rates.
34
Hematocrit
5
Reticulocyte Counts
10
Fragility tests.
3
Bleeding Time.
3
Prothrombin
3
Blood Chemistry :
Sugars 344
N. P. N 205
Creatinine
2
Sulfa-levels
104
Icterus Index
14
Van den Bergh
4
Cholesterol
3
Miscellaneous
3
30
Differentials
Ultra-violet, A. C.
129
ANNUAL REPORT
Urines
Renal functions
Diastase
Į
Stool examinations
44
Cultures
94
Smears
112
Sputum
75
Spinal Fluid
21
Gastric Analysis
4
Surgical Tissues. 436
Sent to State Laboratory
Hintons
195
Undulant Fever Aggl. 5
Stool Cultures. 11
Guinea Pig Tests
2
Widals
2
Heterophile Aggl.
1
REPORT OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL
Student Nurses in the School December, 31, 1942 69
Student Nurses admitted during the year 1942 . 29
Student Nurses graduated during the year 1942 . 18
(9 of these are still in the School making up time.)
Student Nurses affiliating at the Boston City Hospital 12
Student Nurses affiliating at the Taunton State Hospital 2
Student Nurses affiliating at the Chapin Hospital, Providence 1
Leaving the total number of Nurses for duty in the Hospital . 45
We are now sending 12 students to the Boston City Hospital instead of 8, in order to have them all get the 6 months course there, enlarging our classes has made this necessary.
Fourteen students were admitted in February 1942 for training, one only o this class dropped out. These girls were all very good students. Fifteen students were admitted in September 1942 for training; five of these students we feel will be unable to continue the course, they are quite unable to do the theoretical work and are also poor in practical work.
Three students from the previous year have given up, one to be married, one owing to home conditions and one unable to accept discipline.
We have had a slight outbreak of the measles among the nurses the first part of the year and six nurses were ill for a short period.
1 case of appendicitis was operated on.
1 case of gall-stones was operated on.
1 case of back sprain was treated by Dr. Kuhns of Boston.
There were a few other cases of minor illnesses.
4770
5
Blood 53
130
ANNUAL REPORT
A great deal of drudgery-work has been done by the students within the last four months owing to the acute shortage of maids in the hospital, and while I do feel that we should all be willing to do every and anything that has to be done in these times, we have this problem confronting us. We take these young women in to train a nurses, and they are needed as nurses, we are asked to accelerate their course. At best the time for the course is none too long. We have been more fortunate than most hospitals in having enough nurses to care well for our patients, but this will not be the case if they have to do the maids work; at the present time we are doing the very minimum amount of cleaning in the hospital. The nurses have responded well and are doing their part ably.
A class of 16 "Nurses' Aides" have been trained by the Red Cross this year. These women are excellent workers and help a great deal when they are here, but their hours are few and irregular.
If the Board of Managers can in any way think of some plan to help us obtain maids for the cleaning of the hospital, washing dishes and scrubbing, I shall be very grateful to them. I am sure the willing and hard working ones will continue to do their best, but that best makes a very poor showing when there is so much to be done.
Respectfully submitted,
Gwendolyn G. Rice. Superintendent
Patients admitted from:
Attleboro 1316
South Attleboro
170
Hebronville. 64
Dodgeville 47
1597
North Attleboro
450
Attleboro Fall's 69
519
Plainville.
77
Wrentham
57
Norton
127
Chartley
54
Mansfield
358
Foxboro
94
Seekonk
123
Rehoboth
87
Franklin . 10
987
Other Cities and Towns.
275
275
Total
3378
131
ANNUAL REPORT
NATIVITIES
United States
Foreign
Massachusetts
2428
Canada
150
Rhode Island
366
England
31
Maine
60
Ireland
29
New York
34
Portugal
24
New Hampshire
33
Sweden 21
Connecticut
32
Italy
21
Vermont
18
Scotland
15
New Jersey
12
Poland
10
Pennsylvania
10
Austria
4
Illinois
8
Norway
4
Ohio
6
Germany
4
Minnesota
4
Africa
2
Maryland
3
Greece
2
North Carolina
3
Holland
2
Oklahoma
3
Russia
2
South Carolina
3
Armenia
1
Wisconsin
3
Batavia
1
California
2
Belgium
1
Florida
2
Brazil
1
Iowa
2
Denmark
1
Nebraska
2
France
1
Virginia
2
Lithuania
1
Utah
2
Turkey
1
Washington, D. C.
2
Alabama
1
Arizona
1
Colorado
1
Cuba
1
Georgia
1
Kentucky
1
Michigan
1
Texas
1
West Virginia
1
3049
REPORT OF THE HOSPITAL LIBRARIAN
In 1942-2,498 books were circulated and 1,029 magazines, making a total of 3,527. Of this amount 307 were children's books. During the past two years the circulation ratio has changed. Where in 1940, it was about 60 per cent to nurses and others employed in the hospital and 40 per cent to patients, this year the ratio was 62 per cent to patients, 24 per cent to nurses, and 14 per cent to other employees.
At present twenty-eight magazines are received by gift subscription, three of which are juvenile. Those which have proved most popular are American Home, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, Ladies Home Journal, Life, National Geographic, Popular Mechanics, Reader's Digest and Screen Guide.
There are now 233 books in the permanent hospital collection. These are supplemented by 260 books brought down from the Central Library. A recent inventory disclosed that three of the books in the permanent collection and one from the Central Library collection have been lost since last year.
The help and cooperation given the librarian by the instructors and super- visors has been greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, Marion B. Moore, Hospital Librarian
329
132
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Board of Managers and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
Submit the following brief summary of the work done on the Surgical Service during the year 1942, just ended:
Total number of surgical patients admitted Adults 905
986
Children 81
Major operations performed 498
Minor operations performed 1067
Transfusions 70
Total number of surgical deaths 35
This represents an increase of 95 admissions to the Surgical Service over the year before. As a result of this increase there were 1565 operations performed, as compared to 1417 the preceeding year, making this the largest year since the hos- pital was opened.
Among the 498 cases upon whom major operations were performed there were 20 deaths, giving an operative mortality of 4 per cent. Of the 1066 cases upon whom minor operations were performed there was one death, which could in no way be ascribed to the operative procedure.
The total operative mortality for the combined major and minor cases, of which there were 1565, was 1.3 per cent. Of the remaining 15 fatal cases, death occured as a result of accidental injuries in 6, and no operation was performed on the other 9. Three of the deaths due to accidental injuries followed automobile accidents, which represents a decided decrease as compared to former years, which is undoubtedly explained by the war restrictions on pleasure driving that have pre- vailed during most of the year.
One member of the Surgical Staff, Dr. Roy W. Nelson, has been lost to the Armed Forces during the past year. He is now on active duty as a First Lieute- nant with the U. S. Army. Dr. H. I. Bixby has been appointed a Lieutenant Commander in the U. S. Navy, and expects to be called to active duty immediate- ly after the first of the year. They are both active and valuable members of the Surgical Group, and will be very much missed. Such losses are to be expected however in time of war, and those of us who are left, I am sure will assume the added burden cheerfully. As compared to many communities we are very for- tunate in the loss of so few of our physicians, and it is not at all improbable that our loss will be considerably greater in the year to come.
The usual devotion to duty and unfailing interest in the patients entrusted to their care, which we have learned to expect from the members of the Staff, has been most apparent at all times.
In closing I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Mana- gers, the Superintendent, and the nurses for the sincere attitude of helpfulness and cooperation which has existed at all times throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted, John A. Reese, M. D. Chief of Surgical Staff
133
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Board of Managers
and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
The following is a summary of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Service for the year 1942:
A total of 297 patients were admitted during the year. Of this number, 285 were surgical as follows:
Tonsillectomies and Adenoidectomies 234
Mastoidectomies .
2
Sufimucous Resections 9
Enucleations 2
Iridectomies 3
Minor Prodecures
35
There were two deaths on this service with the following diagnosis:
"Epistaxis with Coronary Thrombosis."
"Bronchial Asthma with Complications."
May I here extend my thanks to the members of the service for their coopera- tion. The helpfulness of the management and nursing staff is also greatly appre- ciated.
Respectfully submitted,
A. C. Conro, M. D. Chief of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Staff.
To the Board of Managers
and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
The following report of the work of the Medical Service of the hospital for the year of 1942 is submitted to you for your approval.
The number of patients admitted on the service was increased, both adults and children, and it is encouraging to find the number of children admitted had increased considerably over last year.
The number of hospital days on the medical service was 3, 689, an increase of 578 as compared with 1941, but the average number of hospital days for each pa- tient was practically the same, 10.45 as compared with 10.4 days for 1941.
A brief summary of the work done on the Medical Service during the year 1942 is as follows:
Total number of patients admitted to the service
353
Adults 292
Children 61
Total number of deaths 69
If we break down the data of the service, it shows the highest incidence of sickness for the year was due to respiratory infections. There were 70 cases ad- mitted on the service: 29 cases of lobar pneumonia, 25 of broncho-pneumonia and 16 of bronchitis. Cardio-vascular diseases were the second on the list with a total of 67 cases and cerebral hemorrhage and thrombosis, the third accounted for 21 cases.
These figures showed that a little less than 50 per cent of all cases admitted on the service during the year come under one of these three headings.
A review of the deaths for the year shows that the greater percent of them occurred within 24 hours after admission to the hospital and this incidence in the cerebral cases was especially striking. As has been pointed out in previous report
134
ANNUAL REPORT
of the service, hospitalization in these cases can accomplish nothing and the moving of the patient to the hospital may have been a distinct hazard for him.
The rapid expanse in the size of the nation's Armed Forces has stepped up the drai n on our Doctors and Nurses and our Medical Service has felt its effect. Dr. Isadore Altman of North Attleboro, and Drs. Joseph H. Colman and Ray- mond G. Ockert of Mansfield have entered the Armed Services, in consequence of their departure, the other members are on continuous service in order to lighten the burden of the physicians who still are on the Home Front. We who are left at home cheerfully accepted the added responsibility and work and will carry on to the best of our ability and maintain the high efficiency of service which, in the past, has been given patients entering the hospital.
The cooperation of the physicians of the Medical Staff, together with the ad- vice and aid given by members of the other services, has been fully appreciated and this co-operation has added to the efficiency of the work. We wish to express our appreciation for the help of the hospital consultants and their willingness to respond when called in for consultation. These two sources of advice and help have made possible our results in the care and treatment of the sick.
It is fitting in behalf of the Medical Staff to thank the Board of Managers for their co-operation in our work and the Superintendent of the hospital for her careful oversight of the care given patients by our nurses. We extend to her and her nurses our appreciation for their full co-operation in carrying on the work of the service.
Respectfully submitted,
Herbert Lowell Rich, M. D. Chief of Medical Service.
To the Board of Managers
and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
The following report and summary of the Obstetrical Department of Sturdy Memorial Hospital for the year 1942, is respectfully submitted;
Total number of patients 1735
Mothers 880
Babies 855
Total Births 872
Live Births
855
Stillbirths 17
Premature Babies
22
Caesarean Sections
6
Obstetrical Deaths
Mothers 2
Newborn 10
Causes of death:
Mothers;
Eclampsia. Toxemia of pregnancy 1
Hemorrhage. Shock. Caesarean section 1
Newborn;
Broncho-pneumonia 1
Hemorrhagic disease of newborn 1
Toxemia. - Under-development. 1 Premature birth 7
135
ANNUAL REPORT
The increase of number of patients from,
1059-1940
1106-1941
to 1735-1942, conveys some idea of the increased amount of work in the Department and with 21 beds it has developed a major problem for the Superin- tendent and Nursing Staff to care for these mothers and babies, The Staff feels much credit is due them for the management of this problem and excellent care rendered.
The additional building is evident and we are hopeful this may be met in the near future.
To date we have not refused admission to any maternity cases though at times we have been obliged to do considerable crowding to meet the demand. It is only through the splendid co-operation of the Superintendent, Staff and Nursing personnel that we have been able to render this service.
Our grateful appreciation is sincerely expressed.
Respectfully submitted, Joshua W. Clarke, M. D. Chief of Obstetrical Staff.
To the Board of Managers
and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
The work of the laboratory in 1942 may be summarized as follows:
Routine blood examinations 4500
Routine urine examinations 4770
Special urine examinations. 6
Blood Chemistry examinations 679
Bacteriological examinations 334
Blood typings. 339
Blood cultures . 53
Stool examinations .
44
Spinal fluid examinations 21
Gastric analysi's 4
Samples of blood collected and sent to State Laboratory for examination
203
Other specimens sent to State Laboratory for examination 13
Surgical specimens 436
Autopsies 11
In September 1942 our assistant technician left us, and we find it difficult to complete our work as quickly as we would wish, especially the examination of Surgical Tissues.
The probable solution "for the duration" is to cut down on routine blood and urine examinations.
Respectfully submitted,
James H. Brewster, M. D. Pathologist
136
ANNUAL REPORT
To the President and Board of Managers,
Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
The experience of the Department of Anesthesia at Sturdy Hospital during 1942 has shown little change worthy of comment. We feel that our department is well organized and capable, according to our limitations.
If more assistants and nurses were available we might experiment with intra- tracheal and other new methods of administration. But as it is, our record is good. The percentage of morbidity and mortality under our present system is at a minimum.
Consultations between the operative and anesthetic staffs are frequent and the pre-operative and post-operative treatment leaves little to be desired.
The confidence and gratitude of our patients is a measure of our efficiency.
During the year Dr. Roy W. Nelson, previously listed with the Anesthesia service has entered the A. M. S.
Dr. Hill is still available and Dr. Battershall and myself appreciate his con- stant and courteous co-operation. Dr. Hill has been particularly interested in intravenous anesthesia with favorable results.
Thanks is extended to the Executive, Nursing and Operating Room Staff for their unfailing help in arranging our hours of serivce, pre-operative medication and care of our apparatus.
Respectfully submitted, Frederick V. Murphy, M. D.
137
ANNUAL REPORT
TREASURER'S AND AUDITORS REPORT
Deficit-General Fund:
Receipts for the year exceeded disbursements by $7,883.78. As a result of a campaign by the management, contributions totaling $12,370.00 were received during December 1942 to be applied as a reduction of the operating deficit.
The deficit on the cash basis was accordingly reduced from $22,071.36 at the beginning of the year to $1,817. 58 at the close.
A comparison of the deficit on the cash basis with the result as it would be on an accrual basis is shown below:
Deficit per books. $ 1,817.58
Add: Accounts payable 5,654.13
$
7,471.70
Deduct:
Accounts receivable considered collectible. $ 12,500.00
Surplus on accrual basis $ 5,028.29
Cash-Trust Fund :
All trust fund cash transactions were audited in detail. The balance on deposit at the close of 1942 was verified through direct correspondence with the bank.
Trust Fund Investments :
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