Evening star., 1944-04-04
Alexandra Hospital
Cites Operating Loss
OF S14,S97 Last Year
Annual Board Meeting
Hears $500 Patients
Were Admitted in Period

An operating loss of $14, 1897 40 for
1943 was reported to the Board of
Directors Of the Alexandria Hospital
at the annual meeting last night.
Robert G. Whitton, treasurer and
administrator, explained in the re-
port that expenses for the new wings
added to the hospital were incurred
during 1943. although no revenue
would be derived from the additions
until 1914
The north wing has already
opened, and the east wing is ex-
pected to be completed within six
weeks. Although Lanham Act funds
were aIocated by the Federal Works
Agency for the additions, certain
equipment had to be purchased with
hospital funds, he pointed out, and
additional maintenance personnel
was employed before the new wing
was open for use.
In presenting his annual report,
Clarence j. Robinson, president of
the board, called attention to the
reopening OF the school of nursing,
and its acceptance by the Cadet
Nurse Corps. He also pointed out
that during 1943 the hospital au-
thorized participation in Group Hos
pitalization of Washington, and in
the Richmond Hospital Service Asso-
citation.
A major step was taken by the
Hospital Board during the last year
in extending courtesy privileges in
medicine to five colored physicians
in the city.
Room and board rates were in
creased during the year to permit
an increase in the pay Of general
duty nurses and nurses aides, &C
cording to the presidents report.
Mr.. Whitton's report included
mention of the grant of funds and
approval of the Surgeon General Of
the United States Public Health
Service for the establishment of a
blood and plasma bank under the
civilian defense program, and of the
approval of the Virginia State De-
partment of Health for hospitaIza-
ton under the emergency infant
and maternity care program, pro-
viding care for wives and infants of
servicemen. .-.
Mrs. Irene Roszel, superintendent
OF nurses, reported there were $3.50
admissions during 1943; 1888 pa
tient days, 1852 births, 173 deaths,
731 major operations, 2,974 minor
operations, $3.50 anesthetics given,
1902 laboratory examinations, and
1854 x-ray examinations. The
daily average of patients was 113.
In reporting for the medical staff
DR.. j. c. McCluer, staff president,
expressed qualification for approval
by the American Medical Associa-
ton for inferno training in the
hospital.
He said the entire staff Is making
an effort to work out an inferno
training program and that the in
ternes have been invited to partici-
pate in many staff activities. I
A. class Of 20 enrolled in the
school Of nursing on October is and
a new class started during the last
month. All the members of the
first class entered as members Of
the Cadet Nurse Corps. "a
Plans now are being made for an
open house on National Hospital
day, May II, when the new wings
in operation will be open for public
At last nights meeting Irving
Diener was elected secretary of the
Board Of Directors, replacing A.
Slater Lamond, who is entering the
armed services. Mr.. Lamond will
continue to serve as a member of
the board.
The Rev. Norman Roberts was
appointed representative of the
Methodist Protestant Church, re-
placing E. E. Santmire, and Clayton
Thomas will replace Mrs. M. j.
Mcfarland as representative of st.
Rita's Catholic Church.