U.S.A. HOSPITALS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1924, Page 4

U.S.A. HOSPITALS

SERVICE AND 'DEVELOPMENT. AUCKLAND, Dec. 20. Several notable features of hospital service ami development in tho United States created a deep impression in the minds of the New Zealand delegates to the recent congreus of the American College of Surgeons in New Zealand. Auckland was directly represented at the conference l>v Mr Carrie Robertson, president of the Dritisli .Medical Association in New Zealand, who has .iust returned from what proved to he a memorable visit. It is probable that all the technical information he acquired with regard to the equipment and administration of public hospitals in the United States will he placed at the service of the Auckland hospital administrators. As a surgeon. Mr Raebrtsou was naturally most keenly interested in the clinical side of the groat congress at New York, which was attended by fflJt'Q surgeons, to whom every opportunity was given to obtain practical experience in surgery.

“The thing that strikes one lirst in me United .Stat s-.” said .Mr Itcbertson. “is the wealth that goes to the equipment and support of the .American hospital system. One would he inclined to describe the cxpeiiditine as lavish as loniparcd with the standards in other countries. No cMpenso is spared in ice matter of equipment of hospitals, and the result is lirat-class efficiently. Of course, there ils no dearth of money, and generous support is given to hospitals by millionaires and financial members of the communities, lienee the provision of marble operating theatres, three storeys in height, with doors that shut like a safe. The host of everything is provided for patients as well as for the surgeons and physicians. An outstanding feature of tile American hospital system is the remarkable development of research. Nearly every hospital has a research department attached to it with adequate provision for thorough and valuable work. As a rule eacli rescach department employs two fulltime mi'll, fully o'lalilied. who, with a technical stalls are engaged in animal experimentation, and oilier research activities, including chemistry. A large building in the hospital grounds is devoted entirely to this important work, and a great deal of money is spent on all forms of research for the main hospital. The work is carried mil with keen enthusiasm, and the results are of much value to the community as well as to the medical profession. Tndced one may say that more monev is being spent on medical ami surgical research in the t nitcJ States at the present time than in any other country in the world. Due does not care to make comparisons, hut something in this direction might well he done in this community. It would involve expenditure of course, hut there appears to he no valid reason against a confident anticipation that sciei.il citizens in this prosperous community would readily subscribe generously in the promtoin of such valuable service for all the people.

“There is no doubt that the community hospital is a great advancement on the system known to New Zealand, continued Mr Robertson. “ft is mil ion much to say that the community hospital is one of the reasons why American hospitals arc so efficient. ’1 he advantages are obvious. A community hospital has very few wards, although the accomodation lor the treatment of

patients is ample. Provision is made for free treatment, such as is given in this country, but there are rooms at varviiig prices for the accommodation id' private patients. In practice at Amercian community hospitals a surgeon or a doctor is pften engaged solely from 3 a.m. lo *1 p.m. daily atlending to patients, including his private discs. Thus • patient has the benefit of the service of the best siir••■foils ;in<! }‘!i ysifiMii.s in :i miniiitJiulv. As m matter <>l fact, the hospital anthoritics in America are actually building consulting looms in their hospitals for the use of surgeons and physicians, to whom is given the services ol an efficient, technical stall and those ol the hospital research department. American hospital aiithr.rilios rather prelcr |o have physicians and surgeons in residence as closely as possible to the hopil.nl-. The charge in the eomiiiunilv hospitals are only a l'ltl- higher than lho-c made for hospital trntni in this i onnl i v.**