HOSPITAL'S YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 5

HOSPITAL'S YEAR.

MORE PATIENTS.

EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION. SUPERINTENDENT'S REVIEW. In hie annual report presented to the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday, the medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, said the increase in the total number of patients admitted for the year was due in many respects to the economic depression. Many people who in normal times were able to afford private treatment were now compelled to enter the hospital. In the year ended March 31, 10,075 patients were admitted. The number in hospital at the beginning of the year was 593, making a grand total of 10,088. Of the 10,013 discharged, 4422 were classified as "recovered," 4338 "relieved," and 541 " unrelieved." There were 712 deaths. The deaths comprised 7 per cent of admissions, but 10S patients died within 24 hours of admission.

Dr. ■ Craven gave the following statistics: Number of beds occupied daily in the hospital, 542; ia infectious wards, 25; in T.B. huts, 15; average for all wards, 582.67, Average individual stay: Hospital (9C95 patients), 20.42 days; infectious wards (350 patients), 20.05; T.B. huts (30 patients), 183.8; total admissions, 21.09. There were 9003 major and minor operations; in the casualty department 5308 patients received 14,782 treatments. For the previous year there were 5299 patients and the number of treatments 18,709.

District Nursing Service,

The question of diet had occasioned much thought during the year, said the superintendent. The dietary scale had been revised with benefit to patients and saving to the board. The appointment of a dietitian should further improve the position. The district nursing service had proved of inestimable value. Three nurses were fully occupied in the work. The provision of a second car had permitted of an extension of the service. The nurses not only attended patients lately discharged from hospital, but were also a great help in investigating the home conditions of certain cases about to be discharged. They extended their activities beyond actual nursing, and in many instances provided deserving cases with food and clothing from the Hospital Auxiliary.

T.B. Among Nurses,

Dr. Craven said eonie alarm was felt throughout the Dominion at the incidence of tuberculosis among nurees. With a view to guarding against the danger, all applicants for training as nurses were subjected to a thorough physical examination, and no candidate was accepted who did not conform to the high standard set. The hospital verandahs had been cleared of male tuberculosis cases, and special accommodation had been provided in ward 12. Dr. Craven concluded his report by paying a tribute to the services performed during the year by members of the honorary medical and surgical staffs. He also thanked the many individuals and organisations who had helped to brighten the stay of patients in hospital. The report was referred to a special meeting of the board in'committee.