Evening star., 1945-03-26
Rutland Probes
Collections
AtGaI|inger
Declares Auditor
Lacks Full Information
On Situution

Health Officer George C. Rutland
today launched an investigation
into charges by District Auditor
Arthur R. Pilkerton that only a
small percentage of fees that should
have been collected at Gallinger
were paid and charged that Mr.
Pilkertons suggestion for a medi-
cal officer in charge of the hospital
permit bureau were ''incompetently
given"
DR.. Rutland took this step after
the District auditor had reported
to the Commissioners that in a Is
month period only $75, ,154 had been
collected out of 1921 ,435 that should
have been collected from patients
at Gallinger Municipal Hospital.
Mr.. Pilkerton had also suggested
that the Commissioners give con-
sideration" to placing a medical Of
flcer in charge of the permit bu-
reau. DR.. Rutland said he felt it
was unfortunate that Mr.. Pilkerton
had expressed an opinion on a sub
1ect about which he was not ade-
quately informed.
Plans Investigation.
DR.. Rutland issued the following
sta. ment:
The statement of criticism at
tribute to Mr.. Pilkerton concerning
patients admitted to District insti-
tutions obviously suggests an in
Vestigatlon. So far as the Health
Department is concerned it will
check these statements. However,
1t is a matter that should be re-
ported to the District Commission
ers and we shall do just that. All
the facts will be presented.
"As to Mr.. Pilkerton's recommen-
dation that Douglas N. West, head
of the hospital permit bureau, be
replaced by a physician, I have this
to say:
Criticism from one branch of a
service to another is of questionable
taste. Doubtless this criticism con-
corning Mr.. West was made without
full understanding of the needs of
the service and therefore incom-
petently given.
The report to the Commissioners
will be worthcoming shortly"
Bureau Inadequately Stated.
DR.. Rutland said there was no
doubt that Mr.. Vests bureau, which
has the responsibility of investigat-
ing the financial status of patients,
was inadequately stated Pointing
out that the bureau had requested
seven medical social workers, two
for Gallinger, one for Glenn Dale
Sanatorium, and four for the bureau,
he said only two social workers had
been obtained and they were as
signed to the bureau itself.
DR.. Rutland said that when a pa
tient, deemed able to pay, leaves
Gallinger his bill should go to the
collector of taxes office Certain
cash payments are made to the busi-
ness Office of Gallinger.
In his report to the Commission
erS, Mr.. Pilkerton claimed that only
$4,000 in delinquent accounts had
been referred to the collector of taxes
office and said ''it is apparent that
that unit has received only about
25 per cent of the total cases, many
OF which go back one, two and three
years, or to time when it is next
to impossible to locate the patient
or collect the amount due"
DR.. Rutland said there probably
was not a service in the Municipal
government that could not be criti-
clzed today in view of the man.
power shortage, and he said he was
anxious to have an investigation re-
veal any shortcomings that might
exist.
Not Criticizing West.
Informed of DR.. Ruhlands state
ment, Mr.. Pilkerton said he de
f1nitely was not criticizing Mr.. West"
whom he termed a very competent
man." He said he had merely sug-
gested to the Commissioners that a
medical officer would be in better
position to pass on the admission
OF emergency cases.
He said his report to the city
heads was not intended as criticism
but was merely pointing out defects
in the present system of admission
and collection of fees. He agreed
that Mr.. Vests office was made
quately stated and said the small
percentage of hills turned oUer tn