CATHOLIC HOSPITALS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 30, 12 August 1925, Page 17

CATHOLIC HOSPITALS

\(By M.T. MaoEachern, Mil)., CM., Chicago, Associate Director, American College! of jif ' V Surgeons.) Vi''.'". ' ; ' ■ ■■■ \ |

* v -' * « & ' A DECADE OF AOHIEVEMEMENTS. -

' - Achievements worth while and of importance do not merely happen;of their own accord in the present day. There must be a worthy purpose to attain, a proper means of carrying out this purpose, and finally, results which justify the creation and existence of the purpose to be attained and the means to carry it out. The splended advancements and progress made in .the efficiency of Catholic hospitals throughout the. United States and Canada ; during ..the past ten years have not merely happened of ' their ■ own accord. There has . been a guiding power; or stimulus' behind all this, a 1 stimulus ever active and with constantly increasing momentum reacting in an effective manner on the functioning of each hospital concerned. , A Period of Progress. The writer, through very intimate contact - with the . field for a number of years, has | observed with interest the progress made in hospital management generally, and in Cathl olio institutions in particular, and has sought . the contributing factors, to this progress. ,/••• These may be summarised in three words: % vision, leadership, and organisation, all working together to accomplish a great ideal/ and all wrapped up intimately in the Catholic Hospital Association with its objectives, its accomplishments, and its possibilities. To this Association may we justly ascribe much of the uniform, progressive deI velopment and advance recorded in the last ten years in ( the Catholic hospitals of A America. • ;- - The Tenth Anniversary. - The Catholic Hospital Association to-day .celebrates its tenth anniversary. Naturally, we extend our congratulations, but such epochs or milestones in the life of any organisation call for more than congratulations. For the future benefit of the organisation an appraising or stock-taking of resources and accomplishments during that particular period, is necessary. Only through such means can we determine whether the Association has accomplished its purposes in li the fullest measure, and what should be its programme for the. next ten years in order ■ to give the,hospital field a maximum service. At these periods it is important that' we call for an inventory of its usefulness, its ■ t accomplishments, and its possibilities. Only through a study of its past ’ is it possible to develop or adjust the present policy, to future needs in order to render the much desired arid needed service to the field. • » • . ■ ... Let this, therefore, be not merely an ocf X casion of congratulations, but let those who are responsible for the Association, ■ record carefully the answer to two very; vita! questions which must always he the crucial test * to apply to any organisation with a worthy purpose which has the • right to-* exist, namely: First Has the Association fulfilled ! its : purpose ? to the fullest - extent in giving r = the hospital field the maximum service.dur-

ing the past ten years? Secondly — is , the maximum service the Association can extend during the next ten years ? I am convinced that the record of this Association during 5 its past ten years has many times justified its existence, and given the hospital . field all and even more than could be expected; and further, I feel sure that the first ten, years of its life have been such as will inspire the next ten years with a spirit of even greater accomplishments. Growth of Association Rapid and Healthy, The Catholic Hospital Association, though only in its infancy, ‘ has accomplished its objectives in a manner befitting years of maturity. At the end of the first decade > of its life we find it a lusty child with vigor and splendid promise for the future, in further consummating its broad policy of service and of doing everything possible to v promote the interests of hospital work in the field. To its 'credit, indeed, already stands a. fine balance of achievements tending greatly to the increasing of hospital efficiency generally. Indeed, we can justly claim success for this Association, which has grown rapidly and has greatly increased ’ its momentum in these few years. Why has this Association succeeded in so short a time ? Why has it become a great. force in moulding better administrative and technical policies in. this group of hospitals? There is but one answer. Any organisation whose main objective is based on unselfish service to humanity will always succeed if characterised by true and efficient leadership, good organisation, arid initiative such as the Catholic Hospital Association has already demonstrated in the first decade of . its career. A Great Leader. Back of this Association and all its activities there is a great personality, a great leader, a great general, a man with vision who achieves. It is the Rev, C. B. Moulinier, S.J., who inspired the formation of this Association, and who has been, president since its inception up to the present time —a man who has done unparalleled service for hospitals generally in America during the past ten years. . ’ His colossal work is known to the entire N field and I need not more than mention it to bring forth rounds of appreciation. His services have been given freely for all hospitals alike. He has travelled up and down this Continent, night and day,, month after month, year after year, during the past decade, preaching the gospel, of better hos-V pital service, greater sincerity of effort, and * many other subjects having a distinct bear- ' ing on the improvement of service 'to the ' patient in each and every hospital throughout the land. He is the one man to* whose message tens of thousands , hundreds , of thousands of lay and professional. people on this Continent have listened, gaining inspiration for better efforts in # the care of the . a patient. He is the man who, organised the -

Catholic Hospital Association and has given it guidance during the past ten years, and in addition, has, through his inspiration, instilled into the field 'greatly increased• interest and sincerity of effort with much improved--efficiency and service, which are of all importance to-day to suffering humanity. Why a Catholic Hospital Association? Some one, may ask, . why have a Catholic $ Hospital Association The answer is obvious. The Catholic church in its great mission to humanity realises it cannot overlook' the physical health of its people. The work of the Church would be incomplete and ineffective unless there were provision to make and keep well those who are ill. I ” The hospital care of the sick is a natural calling tor the devoted Sisters who, live a life of service to humanity. How could such a cause be better administered than through the care of the sick ’in the great hospitals throughout the United States and Canada? When a person is privileged to visit many of the Sisters’ hospitals in either country, he cannot but be impressed with the fact that the Sisters are specially adapted to carry, on this type of work. Organisation Essential. Organisation is to-day essential in every field of activity. We cannot live and work as isolated individuals or units. There is a.* marked interdependence and need for intercommunication, interchange, and interaction, which can best be provided through closer contact as afforded by an association of this bind. Through such means can we have more group thinking and acting, re-’ suiting finally in the setting up of improved standards, administrative, technical, educational, and others of concern to the hospital field of . America to-day. ' \ t Such standards are much needed in the present period, •as hospital ■ administration! and technical service are fast becoming a • , more complicated and exacting science, requiring greater „ initial preparation and a more carefully guided apprenticeship or experience. Hospitals everywhere are direct- ) ing their attention to more efficient administration and technical service. Three watchwords have become definitely acceptable and fundamental: service, efficiency, economy, all going hand in hand for good-administration.| The numerous problems constantly arising in every hospital frequently need more than local interpretation or solution. This is best secured through a good field organisation*. v such as the Catholic Hospital Association, in ™which we are all specially interested at this ' particular time. .> For healthy and modern development, a strong organisation is - necessary, and one 1 which, gets close field contact all. times through meetings, group conferences, correspondence, or publications such as . Hospital Progress, and other means. The individual hospital -thus receives the benefit of the I thought of .the mass or entire "group.' ( The Association, therefore, always stands, as a vitalising agency to each of .the .individualCatholic hospitals in the. United States and? Canada. ' ' ’ , . ’ -• _ v ;v ' Field Impressions. - During the past few years it has been the Tim J. _ i ‘ r* - *. »' ... 'V 'V : :

contact with .the hospital / field throughout the United States and Canada. I have thus - 1 • . i' • formed certain very definite impressions more or less .common to Catholic v hospitals in America. While no two hospitals , are alike, yet there are many features or characteristics common to all which may be briefly summarised under the following headings: ' : - ; ta ■ ■ js ■■ (A) Physical Plants 1 1 While modern hospital construction does not always prevail throughout the field,' we find||that' by far the majority of 'Sisters’ hospital buildings are well arranged, thoroughly equipped, and comfortably appointed throughout, with much attention being paid to the physical and psychic comfort of the patient. f Attention has been directed toward making the environment attractive and comfortable for the patient. f Wide corridors, high ceilings, liberal window spacing, combined with immaculate cleanliness, provide brightness, good air, and a distinctive wholesomeness which are well worth while. The cleanliness and wholesomeness are generally noticeable from the front door to the back, and from the basement to the attic.

Not all hospitals are fireproof, but the tendency f of present-day hospital construction is to comply with this condition as far as it is possible. The past decade has witnessed an enormous amount of hospital construction in the field, which continues at present and will go on during the next decade, till eventually only modernly constructed, fireproof buildings will be used.

Generally speaking, throughout both countries the physical plants in the Sisters’ hospitals are found readily acceptable for providing the proper surroundings necessary for the best care of the patient.

(B) Organisation and Administration : Most Sisters’ hospitals are managed in a

similar manner. There has been a considerable , tendency during the past decade for the Sisters to have actively functioning, carefully, selected advisory boards, lay and medical respectively. This is of value inasmuch as it assists the Sisters greatly in the administrative and professional problems of the institution, as well as in tying up more and varied community interests to the hospital itself. —... ; .

It has been particularly' noted that the managements of Sisters’ hospitals exercise a more definite control and authority than are generally found in other institutions. They can thus be regulated more effectively when prohibited practices are attempted.

Disciplining measures are not much needed, as the discipline is generally good. /This, is chiefly due to the supreme authority vested in the Sister- superior and management, preventing at all times the inroad of r political influence or other undesirable interference which so frequently undermines hospital discipline and management; Authority vested the Sister superior is frequently found to be a distinct advantage in good administration. Throughout both countries we find a very/efficient type of hospital ; administration being carried on by "keen and enthusiastic, capable Sister superiors, well ; qualified -to perform their important task. , r

(C) Equipment r ' ■ ' : rnu • . 1, e , ® The equipment generally found is up-to-date, usually, the best arid latest available. Sisters’ hospitals, as a rule, have well’equipped diagnostic and therapeutic departments. * ~J. .a... . ,• - ,v A ; • 1 f I -f In fact, the surroundings, with competent . medical skill should pretty well provide all that is to be desired in the proper care of any / patient. The Sisters’ hospitals ‘ are keenly alert to the present-day advances made in hospital equipment arid facilities of all kinds. r ' •) (D) Domestic Features : Sisters’ hospitals generally, owing to'their very nature, provide most complete and efficient domestic features. The personal interest developed % in the institution by the management' promotes a deeper interest. The domestic features of hospitals, so important to the professional and technical services, are usually found to be of the very best, adding much to the efficiency and economy of the institution. These conditions tend. toward more homelike J features noticeable throughout the institution. (E) A Distinctive Atmosphere : One cannot visit many Sisters’ hospitals without being impressed with the atmosphere of personal touch between worker and patient which usually permeates these institutions and prevents them from becoming too routine or machine-like. The personal touch among patient and doctor, nurse, attendant, or others concerned, is one of the most vital considerations to-day. There must he a study and special consideration of every patient, not in a routine manner nor as one like all the rest in the same group, but each patient must be given individual thought to bring out the special considerations particularly applicable to that patient as distinct from all the others in the group. The permeating of the atmosphere of a hospital with what* is termed “the personal touch spirit,” will keep that institution more human and will without doubt make more effective the service rendered. (F) Desire to Keep Modern-. * I have visited hut few Sisters’ hospitals where I found a lack of interest in modern hospital methods, equipment, technique, etc. Sisters’ institutions everywhere are keen to learn about the latest and most modern advances in hospital service, and are usually very willing to provide the most up-to-date ahd modern equipment, and appliances under the direction and operation of proper personnel. The last ten years have marked a very extensive and intensive improvement in the equipment and personnel of the -majority of Sisters’ hospitals, and all this has been* with a view to meeting present-day standards in the various services. " Universal Interest in Hospital : -• Standardisation. Catholic hospitals from the very beginning of the movement known as hospital standardisation or hospital betterment, have taken a deep and genuine interest in the development of this great programme, which has to-day revolutionised the viewpoint and service in the hospitals of America, and indeed is inJ fluencing that in other countries. Unfortunately a mere handful , of Catholic hospitals

in the United States arid Canada have ;> not yet seen ) the value of this movement. :. o Catholic hospitals generally/however; havri m manifested an enthusiastic, interest ,in thiS : i movement, which presupposes proper organisation, adequate facilities, efficient personnel* definite, systematic procedure and technique, J- *_ •;. J ■ with competent supervision and a • regular periodic check-up on all work and • end re« • suits obtained. The following, table will ■ readily indicate the progress, which has been made in the last five years of: this movement by the- Catholic hospitals of America: Progress of Hospital Standardisation. I;. Catholic Hospitals of America 1920-1924 1920 A , bur* 1 Percenveyed Approved 1 , tage Number of 100-bed hospitals i and over -. . 225 | 133 y 59.1 % ; 1921 -••• ■ Number of 100-bod hospitals " • ■■t?vSS&S and over 245 184 75.0% 1922 Number of 100-bed hospitals and over 266 217 81.3% Number of SO- to 100-bed hos- . • pitals . , 155 65 42.4 %«y 1925 < '.- Number of 100-bed hospitals ,« -■ \ and over 271 229 «. 84.3% Number of 30- to 100-bed hospitals .172 89 t: 51,7% 1924 1 ’ v ■ 1 Number of 100-bed hospitals and over 276 ' 239 ' 86.5% Number of 50- to 100-bed hospitals 195 104 55.8% Number > of 35- to 50-bed . - hospitals 50 1 ■>! 3.3% ■ 1 fi Total 1,829 1,261 '68.9% . . '* • - • i,./ ‘ /!■ College of Hospital Administration. - 0 The College, of Hospital . Administration® under the auspices and with the backing of a great university, Marquette, and a great hospital organisation, the Catholic Hospital Association, 1 cannot but succeed. /To Marquette University must we hand the laurels for having been the first university to establish and develop a College of Hospital Administration, which now stands out as the only one of its - kind in the whole world. The present need of courses for hospital administrators and technical personnel has been keenly felt for years. We know it isfundamentally necessary to have trained persons in hospital administration and technical ; procedures. This is especially true to-day, when the art of hospital administration, as already stated, has become a most compli- ! , cated ’ science., Up to the present, we who i; are in ,this work have learned, it through long ' years of unguided apprenticeship and experi- • ence, often much to the disadvantage of : the : institution and ourselves personally. This condition of affairs need not exist any longer. Several attempts have been inode in the ' ‘ S V • f * . f v • - -’• past to establish courses for hospital administrators but without success, till the establishment of the College of Hospital Administration last October in connection with Marquette University, which is now a very active unit of that university with a splendid group:: of .students in the first class to enter. >. The course has . been inspired by the great leader already, referred to, FatherMoulinier, and the Catholic Hospital Association. It has been built up on the principles advocated in the Rockefeller report on the training of ; hospital executives. ... Its success :in future years is assured, inasmuch as it has behind - it a-great university, a powerful hospital as- :

sociation, and a carefully selected, efficient, and enthusiastic faculty who will not leave a • 1 it • j 'I - i ■■ single thing undone to make it thorough and v ± t x i v r , ‘ complete. It therefore seems.to me that the establishment of this course is a very fitting V climax to the great achievements of the GathX folic Hospital Association during its first def cade of service and usefulness. Conclusion. , I am not a member of the Catholic Hospital Association, but one who has watched, with interest, its progress during the past decade which has been so successfully passed. I am convinced that the future of this As-' sociation augurs well, because its objectives are worthy and those charged / with the responsibility of carrying them out are thoroughly imbued with broad vision, keen leadership, the rendering of efficient service, and the many other fundamental qualifications which cannot fail. - ] ■ - Let the Catholic Hospital Association so continue its work from decade to decade that it shall ever leave in its wake numerous milestones of achievements to make the task of those who follow much easier and more efficiently accomplished. - A vast field of service is still and ever will be present. And just as the course of the old village lamp lighter can be followed by the lights he leaves behind as he performs his task, so must the deeds of this Association indicate its course, its conduct, and its usefulness by leaving lights of service to assist all on their way in the great work of hospital administration. A strong association with momentum, keen interest, and enthusiasm, and with worthy objectives grouped around and focusing on service to the patient, has to-day a real place in the social and economic life of our American people. This is clearly evident when we realise the present extent of hospital serT vice. 'q% Statisticians inform us that of approximately 3,000,000 persons ill on the average daily in the United States, 600,000 to 700,000 are in hospitals seeking re-establishment of their , health. . Again, we are informed on good authority that one out of every ten persons on the average annually in each community must go to the hospital for treatment. This means that 11,000,000 to 12,000,000. persons seek hospital service in the United States and Canada annually. Financially the hospitalisation of the sick is also 1 an enormous problem, when we realise that it costs approximately $3,000,000 per day to keep the hospitals of this country open. Hence, we need active hospital organisations to assist in solving the many > problems constantly arising and closely associated with this work. ’ To the Catholic Hospital Association I extend my best wishes for many decades of usefulness and achievements. Its first decade has been passed and many milestones of achievements can already , be written into its history. Let the past history therefore be an inspiration for the future. I . I . I."* . I ■ , » . v J » -l'. i. * .