The morning call., 1893-02-24
THAT WRONG RECORD.
The Error the Result of Negligence
on the Part of a Steward,


Since it has been shown that in number
OF instances the records Of cases treated al
the Receiving Hospital had been negli-
gently kept. Police Surgeon Somers decided
TO make a thorough investigation and make
a report to the Board of Health for final
action.
The chief surgeon states that he has been
very particular in instructing his SUBJ
ordinates to use the utmost care in that re-
spect.
Ever since the hospital was removed to
its present quarters an entirely new system
OF keeping records OF patients treated was
inaugurated.
In the case of Thompson the full particu-
lars of wpch appeared in The CALL yes
terday morning, DR.. Somers found that the
night steward was guilty Of gross negl-
gence in not even attempting 10 make a
correct record Of the case. as instructed
by him;
chief surgeon TO manage the institution TO
the best of my ability" said DR.. Somers to
a reporter last night, II am obliged 30 rely
upon the integrity OF my sub0rdlnates TO a
great extent. l was fully aware that the
records as kept at the old hospital could be
improved upon, and where we were for
merly unable to trace case to the DhySl-
cans who treated il we are now able to do so.
"a slate which was used for making daily
entries has been replaced by regular day
book, with spaces allotted for each entry.
'After making this innovation the fol-
lowing rule was issued: The surgeon on
duty shall see that a correct record is kept
OF tho name, residence, disease or injury,
place brought from, by whom brought in,
time of receiving and discharging, and the
event of each case applying for aid at the
Receiving Hospital
This rule is explicit, and 1t only rests
with the steward on duty to carry out my
Instructions
Sin order to assist the steward to keep q
record of each case correctly have adopted
the following system:
The name, address, ETC.. Of each patient
Is entered upon card provided for the pur-
pose. 1t is then copied into the dayho0k
and finally transferred TO the official reg
lister. BY this system many mistakes are
prevented
THE final transfer is made by Day
Steward Trewn, who alone has charge OF
the register.
In the case OF Thompson there Is little
doubt that Night Steward Beckhusen neg
lected his duties by not ascertaining the
patients name and other particulars
Il appreciate the fact tnat the records
are admitted as evidence in courts of the
city and State and should be without flaw.
while | am constrained TO admit that
errors have occurred and some imperfect
entries made on the gister, every precau-
ton is taken by me.
Although Day Steward Trewn is
res ponsble to me for entries made On The
register, he also is obliged to depend upon
the correctness Of the records made by the
night steward.
sin this case ! consider Steward Beck
husen alone culpable Of negligence, and
shall act accordingly"
When questioned about the matter by q
reporter, Steward Trewin said he used the
utmost care in making the necessary entries
In the books. and that while errors did
occur it would be found that he was not re-
spOlsible for them.
He cOrrDborated the statement made by
DR.. Somers that he was obliged to accept
records made on the day book by the night
steward on his watch as correct.
In case of errors which have been mad
vertently transferred to the register he was
n OF to blame