Evening star., 1942-08-27
Tells
Patients Not 10
Luxury
Pamphlet ExpIoins
Wartime Druin
On Doctors, Nurses

An appeal to patients not to expect
luxuries they received in hospitals
before the war is coupled with a plea
for understanding and cooperation
in a pamphlet issued by Doctors
Hospital.
Pointing out that hospitals are no
exception to the drain on manpower
imposed by the war, the pamphlet
tells why there are fewer doctors
and nurses available for hospital
service, and suggests ways in which
the public can contribute to easing
the strain.
A shortage OF nearly 400 nurses
and aides is admitted. Meanwhile, a
survey to determine the actual
shortage in physicians is now being
made, with the results to be availa-
BILE within the next 10 days. Pend
ing the survey findings, executives OF
several hospitals here estimated yes
terday that 200 or more physicians
have been lost to the armed services.
Revise Peacetime Standards.
VlCA1 Vic al AlCu cCl WIGS SCChAAlS
$4,000 doctors and $1,000 graduate
nurses this year, as well as other
trained hospital personnel, 1t was in
evitable that hospitals would have to
revise peacetime service standards,
it was said yesterday.
Discontinuance of morning visiting
hours is one way, it was suggested,
to help patients get we'll" At least
one local hospital has put this rule
into effect.
Alcohol rubs to convalescing pa
tients who are not confined to bed
can be eliminated, 1t was said, en-
abling nurses to perform more seri-
GUS duties.
The patient who follows hospital
routine, as approved by the doctor,
and who also co-operates with the
doctor in all phases OF treatment, is
able to leave the hospital earlier
than those who continually QueS-
tion," declares the pamphlet.
Shortages Listed.
"A survey made by the Nursing
Committee Of the District OF Colum-
bia in July shows that our hospitals
had shortage of 229 general duty
nurses, 80 student nurses, ST nurses
aides and 36 orderlies, notwith-
standing the fact that the popula-
ton of the Metropolitan Area has
increased 100000 in the last two
years, making it mandatory that
every hospital bed be manend "a
hours day 365 days out Of the
year."
Presenting the point Of view Of
hospitals under war conditions, the
pamphlet says, in part:
"Our hospitals throughout the
Nation always have been and always
will be this Nations first line of
defense. They are the birthplace
Of a million babies a year-the SOL
diers of tomorrow. They admit and
treat annually II 100000 patients,
saving the lives of over TOO 900 each
year. They have trained, are now
training, and will continue to train
the doctors and nurses who are fol-
lowing our armed forces on the
seven seas and to the four corners
of the earth"
Understanding Asked.
The demands on the hospitals OF
Washington will continue to in
crease daily" the pamphlet con-
tinues. The number of doctors,
nurses and other hospital employees
will continue to decrease as the
armed forces continue to deplete
our ranks. As American citizens we
have but one objective and that Is to
win the war We are counting on
your understanding of our problem. I"
While the survey Is now being
made to determine the actual Short
age Of physicians in the Nations
Capital, four large hospitals reported
combined loss Of nearly 120 resi-
dent and staff physicians during the
past year.
Even with courses in medical
schools shortened from four to three
years. with students attending
classes II months year an added
burden probably will be placed on
older physicians until the new doc
tors graduate, 1t was admitted here.
A steady replacement supply in hos
pital STATS is assured by provision
of law requiring all medical school
graduates to serve an internship of
one year in a hospital before being
allowed to practice. The armed
services also require this one-year
internship before giving commits
sions in the Medical Corps.