Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-05
WILL HUSH UP
NO SCANDALS
COUNTY HOSPITAL WILL BE
RUN AS OPEN BOOK
NEW SUPERINTENDENT BENT ON
GIVING SQUARE DEAL
Promises That Mo Favoritism Shall
Be Shown, and Means to Give
Frank and Businesslke
Administration

"a businesslike administration, thor
ough system and cooperation, pub
licity In management, elimination
of favoritism and a square deal to all,
are the cardinal points that Superin-
tendent Charles H. Whitman yesterday
declared he would endeavor to make
features of his management of the az
fairs of the Los Angeles county hospl-
tai.
Supt. Whitman, who began his new
duties Thursday morning, said he dla
not anticipate making any radlcal
changes in the policy in vogue at the
hospital at present, or until after he
has had an opportunity of FAMILIAR
izing himself with the details of the
work. That he hoped to make i'm
provements, he acknowledged, as the
county hospital. Is large institution
and there is always room for better
ment, but he did not wish his state
ments to be taken as criticism of the
management OF his predecessors.
II have not been here long enough"
said Supt. Whitman, ito be able TO
give any definite idea of my future
plans. OF course there will be changes,
as any person assuming a new position
is always ambitious to make improve
ments. Recently / have been making
a close study of modern hospitals, and
| am anxious that the Los Angeles
county hospital should have the bene-
fit of any experience ! may have
gained.
Will Seek Cooperation
"The first thing necessary in con-
Quoting such large institution is mar
mony and a spirit of cooperation, ana
this must be attained.
by laying down rules that must DE
followed this can be obtained, and any
person connected with the hospital
must realize his duties before he ac-
cepts a position, and work with the
idea of performing those duties. Inc
friction which resulted in the dismissal
of eight internes last week occurred
before assumed Office and cannot
speak of that, but it Is to prevent such
occurrences that have drawn up new
rules, which have been approved by
the hospital committee OF the board OF
supervisors, and they will be enforced.
'As far as I have seen, aifairs at
the hospital are going smoothly, al
though we were slightly handicapped
in getting new internes, on short mo-
tice. and we were obliged to select
from the senior classes of the medical
colleges of Los Angeles. So far their
work has been satisfactory, and they
have entered into it with a progressive
spirit, and this has met with the gen
eral approval of the patients, which is
an encouraging sign.
''The new internes have to devote
part of their time to study, as they
will not be graduated for about two
months. They then Will be regularly
signed as internes, If their work is sat
isfactory, and If they desire to remain
No Favoritisnn Allowed
'The affairs of the hospital will be
thoroughly systematlzed. so that l
may be in close touch with every de-
partment at all times. One rule that
will be rigidly enforced is that every
patient will have the same treatment
and no favoritism shown.
Another principle, which l believe
will work to advantage, is that pub
hospital. There will be no conceal
ment and nothing will be done rnat
the public may not know. as Is their
right. If anything happens. although
1t may be unsavory, there is no rea-
son why it should not be made public.
IL anything goes wrong 1t VIII be m
vestigated and some one must shoulder
the blame. Publicity will aid In prop
erly placing any blame that. might ex-
list. -
ITO prevent such friction as &C.
Cured among the internes l have in
stituted a rule, approved by the super
yisors, which gives members of the
visiting staff official recognition at the
hospital. This they have not had
hitherto.
at will also be necessary hereafter,
when possible, to secure the written
consent of a patient before an oper-
alton Is performed, or the consent in
writing of a parent or guardian. This
rule, of course, is subject to change in
emergency cases.
Discredits Resignation
'"The article appearing in paper
Saturday morning to the effect that
Miss Rosamond A. Quinap, superin-
tendent Of nurses, who Is now on her
vacation, would hand in her resigna7
ton, is a surprise to me. When l re-
ceived my appointment I told MISS
Ouinan that her services were salts
factory and wished her to continue.
She is now on her vacation, ana pc
fore she left I told her we would well
come her back. I have not the slight
est suspicion that she intends to re-
sign. and do not think she does.
miss Sarah Chamberlain, whose
work is very satisfactory as assistant
ant superintendent of nurses is act
ing superintendent in Miss Quinan's
absence. -
1--WE all look for businesslike and
economic administration and from
present indications our hopes will be
realized.
ssWork on the new administration.
obstetric and tuberculosis buildings Is
progressing rapidly, and when they
are completed and the present admin
istration building. which has outlfved
its 30 years of usefulness. Is torn down
Los Angeles will be able to boast OF
one of the finest county institutions IN
the United States"