Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-10

dous boon to this married pair, the in
nocent victims of a cruel misfortune
1.-THE mere thought Of putting two
or more sick people together in the same
room should be argument enough against
it," declares 7. Frank Manviile, presi-
dent of the board Of trustees of the new
hospital. The ward system, though
universally practiced for ec0nOmy's sake,
is a relic Of the dark ages of hospital
practice. Every sick person, with or
without means, should have a room to
himself or herself, and not be thrust
into the nondescript assemblage and con-
fusing hustle of a general public sick
ward"
WARDLESS HOSPITAL
AN ECONOMIC IDEA.
But the wardless hospital is justified
from an economic as well as a sentiment
tai viewpoint Under the strictly pri-
vate room system, for instance, there Ia
absolutely no waste of hea: or light,
since 1t is possible to shut Off completely
those rooms or wings which are not in
use whereas a ward must be kept we'll.
heated and lighted, even though it is
only half occupied. Furthermore, the
elimination of and disease classification
permits a maximum use Of the entire
hospital at all times. 1t frequently oc-
ours IN ward hospitals that male ward
is half empty while q corresponding
female ward is so crowded that it Is
forced to reject patients. In a single
room hospital rooms may be renovated
or redecorated one at 4 time; the same
process under the ward system requires
entire wards to be put out Of commits
sion.
There are these additional advantages
In favor of the private room hospital:
Each room, having It's own equipment,
lavatory and toilet, is an isolated unit.
Danger of infection and contagion Is alb
soluteIy eliminated. Patients newly ad-
mitted are not greeted by the sight Of
the suffering of q dozen or more other
persons. Nor are these dozen or more
occupants disturbed by the admlttance
Of new patients, perhaps in the middle
Of the night. Visitors may come all day
II the physician is willing, while in
wards certain limitations are necessary.
One Of the newest features Of the Fifth
Avenue Hospital is its shape. It is be-
Ing built in the form of a huge "x," so
that a large space intervenes between
the wings, and each room is an outside
room. Every bed may be placed within
three feet Of an outside window, and the
temperature Of the room regulated to
meet the rQuirments of the individual
case.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
FOR CHILDREN.
An entire floor will be devoted to the
care Of children, from the newborn In
FAINT TO boys and girls Of Is. Glass par
titions instead Of solid walls will be a
feature Of this department These viii
provide the necessary isolation, but VIII
permit them the pleasure Of seeing the
other little people in the cubicle. On
this floor also there will be one outside
and four inside playrOoms, literally sup
piled with toys, games and picture books.
The basement of the hospital will be
occupied by its quartermaster depart
ment. including general storeroom,
pharmacy, surgical supply room, diet
kitchen. main kitchen and linen supply
/ division. Orders from the several hos
pital floors viii be transmitted by tel
autograph to this department. where they
viii be filed and delivered by electric
dumb walters.
Nurses will not be interrupted in theiI
care of patients 10 prepare special nour-
ishment. This important detail will he
( handled in the diet kitchen by trained
Gietitians. The same times saving method
Will be used for any supplies necessary
10 the patients welfare. Standard sets
OIL instruments for surgical dressings, to-
gether with all other sickroom equip-
Ment, will always be on hand IN the SD
pervisor's office, on each floor throughout
the building. When instruments have
been used they Will be sent to the SUI
gical supply room for cleaning and
steriliziug. The great value of these IL
IovatiOns may not be at once apparent
to the layman, but they will be greatly
appreciated by the medical profession
Naturally stch 4 hospital viii be only
partially self-sustaining, but it is backed
10y number Of wealthy men and women,
who have been attracted by its high pur-
pose. Many of the rooms have already
been endowed by sympathetic individuals.
The Barrymores. for instance, have en-
dowed one for the benefit of the acting
profession.
The Fifth Avenue Hospital will be
ready for patients on the first of next
July, according to the present schedule,
IN the meantime, q movement for moro
wardless hospitals is growing through
out the country and may produce addi-
tiOnal results by the time the first ono
is completed.