The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1948-10-14

of Hagerstown and surrounding
communities would use the facilities
available at Washington County
Hospital, it was indicated today by
returns in poll of public opinion
being conducted in the area served
by the hospital.
Stanley P. F. Kline, president of
the hospitals board of trustees, in
third analysis of the results re-
ceived to date, reported that So out
of every 100 residents who have re-
piled answered that they would
choose Washington County Hospital
if they were in need of treatment
Several thousand questionnaires
have been sent to cross-section of
the areas 10000 inhabitants.
The board president revealed that
these returns, together with the
fact that in a former analysis four
out of every five residents said the
! hospital was efficiently managed,
constitute an Overwhelming vote of
confidence in the hospitals serv-
ices" However, he added that, in
view of the present overcrowded
conditions, it is also a matter of
deep concern.
with last years 6,467 patient adj
missions and 1925 newborn babies
taxing to the limit the facilities at
the hospital" Mr.. Kline continued,
lit is evident that substantial ex-
pansion is necessary if we are to
keep pace with the continued future
increases indicated by this survey"
He noted that 90 percent of the re-
plies expressed the opinion that the
hospital should be enlarged.
Announcing that 20 per cent of
those whose replies are included in
this analysis expect that some mem
Der of their families will require
hospital care at some time during
the next twelve months, Mr.. Kline
said: ''While this might be regarded
as high figure, it is indicated by
national statistics of hospital serv-
ice that as many as so per cent of
all families are likely to find one of
their members in need of hospital
service during each twelve month
period"
He observed further, that contin-
ually larger numbers of people are
, looking to the hospital as vital
factor in their well being, as indi-
Gated by the rise in demands on all
its departments in recent years. He
cited the example of the out-patient
department, which treated 6,134 pa
tients in 1947, as compared to 4,005
in 1916.
The general belief that hospitals
. are the best places for maternity
; care was upheld as "a per cent Of
those who have replied to the poll
: to date specified they would prefer
t to have their children born at Wash
ington County Hospital. Only 8 pei
cent said they would choose hos
pitfalls elsewhere and only 8 out Of
( every 100 would want their children
born at home, Mr.. Kline noted.
Additional information on the
problem of overcrowding, he con
: tinued, was obtained from the ques-
:, ton which revealed that SO out OF
4 every hundred persons who replied
to the survey are members of the
Maryland Hospital Service or the
Capital Hospital Service, Inc. blue
Cross, or some similar voluntary
non-profit plan for the prepayment
of hospital bills.
THE truth is" explained Mr.
Kline, "that today more people can
afford hospital care than ever be
fore. The growth of various hos
pital insurance groups, of which the
Blue Cross alone now has more than
: 100000 members throughout the
{ country, has had marked effect on
: the Washington County Hospital. A
few years ago the number of those
admitted who were members Of
these organizations was negligible
but today large numbers of patients
: have arranged to meet charges fol-
/ hospital care through membership
: in one or another of these prepay
! ment plans
l The board president found furth.
er evidence of good viii toward the
3 hospital in the fact that q per cent
of the residents who have replied
I to date answered that they woulc
make a substantial bequest to the
t hospital if they were making viii
S and were in position to do SO
< while "a per cent said they woulc
y leave something to the hospital
|, Only is per cent indicated that they
t would not make a bequest, Mr.
E Kline reported.