The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-19
A QUESTION OF NURSES.
No DiscOurtcsy Intended to sheldon
Party at Savannah Hospital.

Editor Morning News: was much
surprised at the long account in this
mornings paper relative to the removal
of a Mr.. Sheldon from the Savannah
Hospital to st. Joseph's Infirmary.
L fan to see why so trifling an affair
should take up so much space in your
paper.
While 1 have had nothing to do. in
person, with this case yet, as superin-
tendent of the Savannah Hospital /
have made careful inquiry, and can
find no cause to justify the statement
made in your paper by Mrs. Schwab,
that Mr.. Sheldon was removed from
the hospital because he and his party
were not treated courteously.
With nearly twenty years connec-
ton with hospitals and their work, l
have never known of a hospital of any
standing that would permit a patient
to bring his or her nurses to the hos
pital to take charge of the case. 1t is
not question of efficiency or lack of
efficiency in a nurse not connected
with the hospital. 1t Is simply a ques-
ton of discipline. Every hospital, with
Its corps of nurses must hold this corps
responsible for the work of its depart
AhNAiN- 4NOW JIilS ulSCipllllG CdHHOl DC
maintained If outside nurses, not mem
bers of the hospital corps and not re-
sponsible to the head nurse, be allowed
to take part in the hospital work.
After careful inquiry in this case
there can be no question but that the
refusal to permit the nurses brought
by Mr.. Sheldon to take full charge of
his case while in the hospital is the
chief cause of the trouble. This ac-
fiOF nv the hnspitoJ OF
much irritation to Mr.. Sheldon's party,
making them view in a false light
little things that were never intended
as discourteous.
Mr.. Sheldon came to the Savannah
Hospital, l think, on the advise of
DR.. Burford of Brunswick. DR.. Nc
Laws the resident physician met Mr..
Sheldon and party at the station as
their train arrived. he paid them every
attention and conducted them to the
hospital. 49, -,ec
On arrival at the hospital Mr.. Shell
don's nurses while not allowed to
take full charge of the, nursing we're
yet permitted to remain with him and,
every allowance possible was. made
them.
When the matter: was reported to me
by DR.. McLaws l confirmed the action
he had taken relative to the nurses
telling him to show every courtesy
possible to Mr.. Sheldon and party
while the physician who came with
him was considered as in charge of
his case and was given every atten-
ton.
Upon calling at the hospital late the
same afternoon of his arrival / made
inquiry of Mr.. Sheldon's condition
DR.. McLaws reported that he was
resting quietly, the nurse question
settled and his friends, evidently sat
isfied.
No complaint was ever made of any
discourtesy and no mention was made
of his intended removal to st. Joseph's
lnflrmary. The first notice of any
sucn action on their part was the call
at the telephone and the arrival Of the
vehicle to take him away. After act
ing thus I fail to see what right any
of his party have to claim discourteous
treatment, for their own action, to say
the least could hardly be called cour-
teous or fair.
AS the physician who accompanied
Mr.. Sheldon was permitted to remain
in charge of his case / cannot see what
foundation there was for the report
that Mr.. Sheldon was removed
from the hospital because DR. Bull
would not be allowed the courtesy Of
the Savannah Hospital. Who ever
originated this report is guilty of a
very contemplate SANDER To Or.
Bull the hospital will ever extend all
courtesy as in the past 1t has done TO
many other distinguished members of
the medical profession.
The private rooms of the Savannah
Hospital have always been open to all
members of the medical profession in
good standing.
l regret having to write this article
but feel / must in duty to the hos
rital; were it simply personal mat
ter l would pay no attention to 1t.
Thomas J. Charlton, M. D..
superintendent Savannah Hospital.