The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-29
HIILMAN BOARD
 CONDEMNS PLAN
Distribution Of County Patients To Other Hospi-
 tals Is Given Blow

,, Stating that ~the committee is sure that no hospital can give the care and attention and maintain the modern ia. ciIities for trenting patients that are required in an approved hospital at less than it is. being done at Hillman,' the advisory committee of Hillman hos pital urged that the board not accept the suggestion of Dr. w. c, Gewifl of the Birmingham General hospital, that charity patients be- distributed among the dozen or moFe hospitals of the city, in a written treport made to the board of revenue Friday.
 While expressing their appreciation of Dr. Gewin's offer, the committee pointed out that only county hospital, devoted exclusively to the care ; of county patients, could adequately care for the needs of the institution and said that all such patients should be cared for class A hospitals. .s;ie
 Standard Attained s9
 The class A standard of the Hill. man hospital has been attained and maintained at great expense to the people of Jefferson county,r the report continued. 'The committee unanimous ly approves. of the standard estab- lished by the American College of Sur. geons and the Hospital Association of the American Medical association for class A hospitals. The work done at Hillman is recognized and approved by the profession throughout the country. The board of revenue could not be re. sponsible for the standard maintained in any private hospital, but it could re. quire the class A standard of any hos pital to which indixent patients are re- ferred for hospital and professional services and for whom the board of revenue is responsible.
 A check of the 15S hospitals in the city shows that only, seven of them are included in the grade A classification.
 The committee pointed out that the cost of caring for patients at Hill man hospital, estimated at $2.20 per patient per day, would be less if the outdoor department having an average of 43 patients u day, were not includ- ed. It was also pointed out that the estimated cost included X-ray work and treatment of about 50> patients a day who are not classified as resident patients.
 :, Crowded Conditions
 Attention was again called to the crowded conditions at Hiliman hospital and the need for immediate improve ment. The building itself was describ- ed as greatly in need of repairs and not fireproof. K
 ..In providing a new fireproof, up- to-date hospital building. the best in terests of the countysMill5 be conserved y the report said, "in that the indigent sick, the care for whom the county is responsible, will be safeguarded in such . way as to be approved by our people. In the plan for the new building, pro- vision should be made not only for every type of case that is now being treated there but every case of sickness among our indigent population which is not provided for, Suitable care of ordinary diseases of childhood should be provided. Provision should also be made for. unfortunate mental cases un- til the patients can recover from their temporary Arrangement or be placed in q suitable place for permanent con finement in the interest of the patient and community" ,S