Evening star., 1946-08-27
Program Of Expansion
AT Columbia Hospital
Urged by McDiarmid

An expansion program for Colum-
bia Hospital for women, deemed
necessary to keep 1t abreast of mod
ern medical knowledge, was recon-
mended by Supt. N. l.. McDiarmid
in his annual report today.
Col. McDiarmid also stressed
the seriousness of a depleted nurs-
ing staff at Columbia and other
hospitals, a fact that contributed
to closing of one ward Of beds at
Columbia last April.
During 1945, total of 3,424 babies
were born at Columbia Hospital,
about Is per cent of all births in
the District.
The need for obstetrical beds in
the Metropolitan area was so great
that an arrangement was made with
the Surgeon General of the Navy,
who had the responsibility of pro-
viding medical care to Navy depend
ents, whereby he would furnish
nursing care to such dependents
at this hospital" Col. McDiarmid
said.
by this arrangement and only
because of it We have been able to
keep our rooms open and our de-
livery room facilities operating
fully"
ur-point Program.
Remarking that it seemed i'm
probable Congress would provide
aid for other hospitals and with
hold it from 'the one in which 1t
has for so long maintained a con-
trolling interest" Col. McDiarmid
suggested this expansion program
for Columbia:
i. A nurses home and training
school of 10000 cubic feet.
2. An annex for 145 additional
obstetrical and genealogical beds
and greater outpatient service, for
which 1,500, 900 cubic feet would be
required.
3. A remodeling of the present
hospital building and replacement
OF steam and water lines.
4. Razing of obsolete and dan
gerous cottage and home.
In his discussion Of IAN extremely
critical shortage in nurses Col.
McDiarmid said many factors were
involved. Noting a dearth of ap-
plicants at training schools he said
there must be recognition that a
nurses standard of living is below
that of other employment.
There must be determination to
remedy these inequalities and to
make such provision not only in
salaries but in working conditions
in number of hours and in number
of days per week, in soci.l security
and in provision for retirement as
will place those accepting employ
ment in hospitals on an equality
with those in other fields" Col. Nc
Diarmid insisted.
Urges Retirement Plan.
He said some form of retirement
plan for hospital employees was
clearly indicated and that "its early
adoption at this hospital is urged"
The superintendent praised staff
members and Red Cross and volun-
tary workers who rounded out the
last year Of the war. He deprecated
a system that called for draining the
resources Of hospitals at time of war
and called for preparedness that
would give civilian hospitals prior
ity on essential personnel.
Demonstrating how the commun-
ity has come to rely on hospitals,
Col. McDiarmid said the percentage
OF births in homes have rapidly de-
creased. Last year there were 22,954
births in the District, 22,215 or 96.S
per cent of which were in hospitals.
During 1945 the hospital furnished
1890 patient days and 1886 infant
days. Of the 3.424 deliveries, there
were 60 stillbirths. There were 1,277
operations and six adult deaths.
In the out patient department,
1851 women were given prenatal
care on a total of 6,588 visits; 1877
genealogical patients made 1922
visits, and 637 infants we're given