HOSPITAL STATISTICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3943, 16 May 1929, Page 2

HOSPITAL STATISTICS.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S ANNUAL REVIEW. A statistical review of the work of the Palmerston North hospital during the year ended March 31 last was presented to the Hospital Board on Tuesday by the medical superintendent, Dr. Prank Ward. Patients admitted during the year numbered 2667, while 2545 were discharged and 150 had died. The daily average of occupied beds was 181.93, and the individual average days’ stay 23.3. The number treated during the year was slightly in excels of the number treated during the previous year, mainly due to the increased number of scarlet fever cases and, to a lesser extent to surgical cases. Any congestion had been in the surgical wards. The average days’ stay had increased from 21.52 to 23.31, due to scarlet fever cases, an increase in the number of chronic cases in the medical wards and tuberculosis annexe. Of the 150 deaths, 24 occurred within 24 hours of admission. The general rate was 5.27, with an adjusted death rate of 4.42 when allowance was made for the deaths within 24 hours.

Operations totalled 1251, made up as follows: General 610, tonsils and adenoids 28G, gynaecological 137, appendicitis 147,’ hernia 34, cancer 22, goitre 15. Infectious disease admissions could be classified as under: Searlet fever 190, diphtheria 36, pneumonia 30, phthisis 44, puerperal sepsis 8, hydatid disease 1, erysiplas 2, trachoma 1. The casualty ward had been a great asset in the expeditious admission of ambulance cases and had more than justified the original expense. The attendances at the tuberculosis dispensary had been satisfactory. An average of two patients per week had attended for examination. ''fhe maternity home had been an entire success. Patients admitted had been 126 since the opening on June 23, 1928. Babies born unmbered 117 and attendances at the ante-natal clinic 248. For the month of April, Dr. Ward reported 226 admissions, nine deaths and 187 discharges. The average number of occupied /beds was 174. Sixteen scarlet fever and four diphtheria cases were admitted.