HOSPITAL STATISTICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 119, 20 April 1932, Page 10

HOSPITAL STATISTICS

PALMERSTON NORTH INSTITUTION. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Interesting statistics concerning the Palmerston North Hospital were disclosed in the annual /eport submitted by the medical superintendent (Dr. F. Ward) to the meeting of the Palniorston North liospital Board on Monday. There were 203 patients in the Hospital on April 1, 1931. Patients admitted during the year numbered 2315 and patients discharged 2220. There were 139 patients who died and 154 remained in Hospital on March 31 last. The daily average number of occupied beds was 171.6 and the individual average days’ stay 27.13. “It will bo seen that the individual average days’ stay is unusually high, but an analysis of tho cases treated shows a definite cause for this Ingh figure,” stated Dr. Ward. “Of th£ 2315 patients treated, 119 remained in Hospital for 90 days or over. The collective days’ stay of these 119 patients was 20,956 days, giving an individual average days’ stay, of tho same class, of 176.1. All of these.were cases necessitating prolonged treatment, which could not bo obtained elsewhere. The balance of the patients treated (2196) consisted of ordinary medical and surgical cases. giving a collective days’ stay of 41,852 days, and an individual average days’ stay of 19.05. ■ This figure, I think, can be taken as representing the average days’ stav in the Hospital,_ were there other institutions in which our chronic cases could be treated. “It will be noticed that the number of cases treated is some 285 less than last year, which is rather surprising in view of the times of stress we are passing through. Total admissions to the maternity homo during the

was 10 7 The operating theatre was opened during the year and Proved most satisfactory. have been necessary but the genei lavout and equipment has surgical and medical supplies, and there have been great reductions m i tlie issuing of the mnm lines , dispensary items.. The appointment of an assistant in the dispensary creatly facilitated the work, and tne addition of tho old theatre sewing room will further improve the management of the dispensary. The new plant was put into commission in Juno, and has fulfilled all that was expected of it. It is now Possible to get more standardised films of better quality than the old machine was capable of producing. Towards the end of last year it was agreed that the old theatre should be converted into a massage department, and the present massage department should be used as a clinic. Sketch plans of the proposed alterations of the old theatre have been prepared and the secretary is at present making estimates or the C °“i should like" to record my appreciation of the work done by the resident medical, officers, the matron, the bacteriologist and all connected with the internal administration of the Hospital, and of the help and co-opera-tion of the honorary staff in all matters.”