New-York tribune., 1901-03-30
HOSPITAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Senator Grady has introduced into the legis
lature hill relative TO hospitals which should
have the attention Of all persons concerned for
the proper management Of charitable institu-
tions, with due regard for their obligations and
responsibilities 10 the community which is in
vited 10 intrust some of its interests 10 their
keeping. The bill is as follows:
Section l. No hospital incorporated under the
laws OF this State. sustained i'm whole or in part
by charitable contributions or endowments shall
be liable for the neglect careIessness want OF
skill, or for the malicious acts CT any OF its off,
GERS. agents or employees. in the management Of
or in the care or treatment OF. any OF the pa
tients or inmates of such hospital
Sec. 2 II shall not he lawful for any such
hospital 20 make or enter into any agreement
whereby liability shall he incurred for such
neglect, carelessness, want of skill or malicious
acts ana any such agreement shall be void
The measure seems 10 have its source I'm
somewhat prevalent delusion that because an
institution is labelled charitable it should have
freedom TO run amuck. and if il does any harm
be excused on the plea that its intentions were
good. IL some hospital had matreated n pa
tient. been east in damages for il and sought
an escape from liability in the future for fail
ure 10 discharge it's voluntarily assumed obliga-
tiOns just such legislation as that proposed in
Section OF this bill might naturally he sought
III such hospital foIesaw that patients would
never place themselves in its care after il had
secured such relief. and advertised that II gave
no guarantee against neglect or malpractice.
provided they could go 10 any other hOspital
which was ready TO back it's care and skill with
II. money, just such legislation to prevent
rivals from enjoying a better reputation than
itself as that proposed i'm Section might
naturally be sought
There is no evidence that such motives in
spired Mr. Grady's bill, tut certainly its mas
sage would he distinct blow 10 public conf
denee in hospitals and would open the door 10
serious abuses. At present even the worst
managed hospital is held up TO a measure of it's
duty by fear Of damages for malpractice. even
. il professional pride and humanitarian aspira.
tiOn do not operate 10 secure efficiency. IL this
bill became n law such eonstraint would he
removed. Doubtless the first class hospIrals
would live up 10 their own ideal. which Is far
higher than any standard of treatment which
the law prescribes. There are hospitals. how
ever which could not thus be depended upon.
4 hospital attendants who require the most ex-
acting oversight. and managements which need
the stimulus OF money responsibility 10 make
them exercise that oversight with a proper
degree of strictness
One Of the greatest evils TO he pnardel
against in organized charity is the eouferrinp
OF power without corresponding responsihilitv
Hospitals. however supported. are in /. sense
pubic institutions. they appeal 10 the public
| Tor support on the ground OF the benefits they
confer. They put forth claim, 10 the conf.
dence OF the Sick. they take pay patients. and
generally represent themselves as Trustworthy
practitioners OF the healing art It is only
right. therefore. that they should oeeupv mi.
reid sub1e-t TO the same responsibilities as III.