Greenbelt cooperator., 1939-12-07
Our Hospital: Part 3

This is the Last of series of three articles
about Greenbe1 It's municipal hospital. It pre-
sents financial statement, describes the work
of the Hospital Auxiliary, and outlines plans
for the hospitals future. The first tNo arti-
cles discussed the hospitals organization, per-
somlel, equipment, and servicesI
No municipal hospital in the United States oper-
ates at a profit, and the Greenbelt mmici pal hos
pita1 is exception to the rule. The Town Trea-
surer's report to the Council, as of October 81,
1889, showed that the hospitals total expenditures
we're $13, 723.Q. Of this sun, $7,257.57 for op-
Grating e1pendi lures, 81, ,64.47 spent or alter
ations, and 80, ,sl.oo used for the purchase of
permanent equipment. The total collected in
that period $2,o72.5o, with addi tiona1 of
$836.5o to be cole ctcd The original large exen-
ditures for alterations and permanent equipment will
not have to be principal problem facing
the hospital is to reduce the net cost of the hospi
tai to the community.
There two ways in which this can be accom-
plished. First, by reducing expenses, and second,
by increasing the income.
There is very little possibility of effecting
savings because the principal item of expense is the
salary paid to the hospital staff, which at present
is small is compatible with maintaining proper
hospital standards The princ pal of reducing
the deficit, therefore, lies in the direction of In
services furnished by the hospital. This be
done with little or increase in the present per-
somel and equipment. The directions in viii ch the
e1pansi on is taking place follows:
1. Physicians of Prince Georges County have been
invited to apply for membership the courtesy
staff in order to treat local patients here.
2s various ARTICLES OF fracture IMent
being rented, rather than bought, for the present,
in order to keep expenses down to a minimum. The
hospital will be ready to accept emergency
cident patients brought in by the Hadensburg and
Ranclville Rescue Squads.
3. AS the number Of pa tients increase it will be
ible to add few items of equi pent lacking,
such as the Horoscope, electrocardiograh, and ba
sal netabolis1 nachine In this way it will be pos
sib1e to increase the of the hospital wi tn
out adding greatly to its cost.
The recently formed Hospital Auxiliary, which all
in nh01 tod ~ NV Se4z
hospital with supplies, sewing, transpor of
patients, Improvement of the grounds, supplying pa
tients with flowers, books, and forth, raj sing
funds, and keeping the community informed of the
hospitals services and needs. hrs. Gladys Freeman
Is chairman of the auxiliary; Ms. Eva Laalso, vice.
Mrs. hTa Volk, recording secretary; and Hiss Claire
Still, treasurer. There at present eleven stand
ing committees. Mrs. Peggy LOTUS is membership
chairman; ways and means is directed by Mrs. Helen
He1ne and hrs. Betsy Woodman; supply is managed
der the chairnanship of Hrs. John Gale and hrs.
Aria Eorgan. hrs. Delpha McCar1 and Hrs. Margaret
Vincent Supervise the ward committee; Ers. JIG.
Brown and Mrs. Lucille Hemingway in charge Of
the grounds. Hrs. Ruth Naurer and hrs. Dorothy
Merryman head the motor corps, while Mrs. Frieda
herWaen and Mrs. Lucille Cooper manage publ city.
The recently formed budget committee is directed by
Mrs. Edna Benefiel. Mrs. orrin lcGoldrick and lhs.
Ann artone co-chairm of the program committee.
Mrs. Julia iVers heads the bylaws committee. The
organiz ation's annual dues 25 cents. Thirty-fo
attended the meeting Last Thursday in Room 200 at
the School to ask Hiss Elizabeth Yuretich, superin-
ry meets monthly as groupj the work of the carit-
tees goes on continuously and is expected to prove
very valuable in tle devel oent of the hospi tai.
1t Is perhaps we'll in considering the future of