Evening star., 1939-03-09
Go|Iinger
Continued From First Page.)

his investigation. In this state
ment, he disagreed with the plan
offered by DR.. Rutland. as to the
powers of the chief resident ply
sician and declared there was "un-
questioned" evidence of inadequate
attendance at the hospital by men,
bers of the visiting staff in the
past"
The formal agreement clears up
the question raised by DR.. Rutland
as to whether it was illegal" for
the District to accept volunteer serv-
ices at the hospital. The agree
ment cites the District Appropria-
ton Act of 1911, which provided
that the Commissioners "are au-
thorized to accept volunteer med
ical services for public charitable
institutions"
The contract then recites that
the universities have offered to fur
nish such volunteer medical services
and adds, THE Commissioners of
the District believe that the faculties
of medical schools have made pos
sible such hospitals as Gallinger
Municipal Hospital and the further
development of higher standards of
medical proficiency in this country"
Bylaws to Be Continued.
The agreement then provides that
the bylaws of the medical staff at
Gallinger, as approved by the Com
missioners July q, 1928, as now
in effect, shall be continued in full
force and effect.
AS to the resident staff. the agree
ment states: 1T is further agreed
and understood for the purposes
of this agreement that the chief resi-
dent physician of any department
of said Gallinger Municipal Hos
pital shall be responsible for the
care of all patients admitted to
the department to which he is as
signed, subject, however, to the rules
of the said department and the
chief of service relating to the care
and treatment of patients"
1t was provided that any change
in the terms of the agreement shall
be made only upon mutual con-
sent or upon the giving of one
years notice in writing of any of
the contracting parties and that the
bylaws of the hospital shall be
subject to amendment by the Com
missioners.
Drastic Action Required.
In his report Mr.. Mackenzie de-
clared he believed general condi-
tions in the hospital on July /,
1887, and the care given to the
patients at the time were such as
to require drastic action" by the
health officer. He said, Il believe
the health officer was in error in
the method he used in attempting
to improve the care of patients.
The plan offered by the health Off
Ger was more in keeping with the
plan of organization used in hos
pitals of the Navy and War De-
partments, the United States Public
Health Service and the Veterans
Administration but contrary to the
best and almost uniform practice
in municipal hospitals in this coun-
try that have aftlliation with med
ical schools"
Positions of Authority.
Mr. Mackenzie said experience
dictates that where the faculty Of
a medical school supplies profess
sional service at a hospital, full
time physicians and surgeons should
be placed in positions of authority
in that hospital only by or from the
medical schools. He contended
physicians and surgeons in Wash
ington who have achieved deserved
regulations through years of medi-
cal practice should have nothing
less than seniority in professional
matters unless voluntarily surren-
dered."
He continued: "The principle is
we'll established in this country and
is prescribed by the American Col
lege of Surgeons that the members
of a visiting staff of a hospital
initiate and perfect such changes in
management of the staff as may be
required. Failure to meet required
standards deserves warning, at least,
before dismissal or demotion. Those
responsible for the management and
control of the hospital always re-
tain the right to suggest, or If need