Evening star., 1949-05-08
Washington News
RuhIond Calls Stars Criticism
.Unjust, Cites GoIIinger Changes
fSee editorial, "Dr. Rutland
and The Star" Page ca


fSee editorial. "Dr. Rutland
and The Star" Page ca
District Health Officer George c.
Ruhland last night declared num-
erous changes have been made
in the Gallinger Hospital psychia-
trio service and that labelling the
service a Disgrace to Washing
ton" by a newspaper (The Starr
has seriously hampered" recruit
ment of needed personnel.
The remarks were made in a
15-page statement, outlining the
services and activities at the mu-
nicipal hospital.
1t was circulated with an
nouncement of an open house at
Gallinger from 1880 to 4 pm.
Thursday in connection with
National Hospital Day. during
which the public will be invited to
tour the facilities.
Partial Text.
Following is a text of the part
of DR.. Ruhland's statement re-
garding the psychiatric service:
"One of the major services of
IGallinger is the Psychiatric Serv-
ice, to which patients are ad-
mitted without regard to financial
status. This service is separated
from the other group of buildings
but is connected by underground
Epassageway for somewhat easier
access to the service. 1t consists
of four buildings. an Administra-
ton building, the West building
in which female patients are
housed. the East building for male
patients; and South building
which serves as an admitting
building and in which the more
disturbed patients are treated.
"A total of 4,517 patients was
admitted to the Psychiatric Ser
vice in 1948, of which 4,236 were
admitted directly and 281 were
transferred from other hospitals
and institutions. There were only
81 fewer admissions to Gallinger's S
Psychiatric Service in 1948 in spite
of the fact that an Act of Congress
passed during the year, permits
direct admission to st. Elizabeths
Hospital. However, during 1948
1,273 patients were transferred to
St. Elizabeths which was nearly
a 600 per cent increase over the
previous year when only 213 patti
ents were transferred.
% Fewer Deaths.
"The daily average number Of
patients in the Psychiatric Service
was 1903 patients for 1948. The
corresponding figure for 1947 was
1894 patients. The number Of
beds available for patients in this
service is 1853.
"Twenty-three fewer deaths oc-
Cured in the Psychiatric Service
in 1948 than in 1947, "a as
against lot.
"In spite of some harsh criti-
cism leveled against the Psychia-
trio Service by one of the local
newspapers, (The Starr, the
statement most recently given
credence, the walls have been
painted seems most unjust: since
numerous changes have also taken
place. 5Seclusion rooms have been
completed and made safe for the
more disturbed patients. Because
the usual practice at other hospi-
tails is for one attendant to keep
a regular check. through peep
holes. on a number of seclusion
rooms, does not mean that this
would be best practice for Gal
fingers Psychiatric Service.
'"The continuous tubs were put
into working order and have been
used to some extent. That the
alienation of the elevator sit
uation is long overdue. is readily
admitted and repeated requests
have been made to speed the work.
which unfortunately has not yet
been completed.
Personnel q Problem.
Personnel to staff this impor-
tant service still presents one Of
the most troublesome problems
confronting the hospital. 1t has
been almost impossible to procure
qualified personnel to accept the
positions which are vacant. The
nation has been literally secured
seeking a psychiatriSt to head
the service. While the present
incumbent seeks to do this work,
plus the tremendous amount Of
work as alienist to the courts. it
is felt to be almost a superhuman
task. and either position demands
the full-time Of one man.
1.-THE criticism leveled against
the service (by The Starr for the
continuing lack of another
psychiatrist. therefore. hampers
the Administration In the task of
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men, That the salary which is
established by Congress to pay
for this position is too meager to
attract a physician, is also an
other handicap. not mention the
delay in the pay boost which has
been long delayed.
."Other personnel shortages in
the Psychiatric Service may be
listed as follows: A male physio-
therapist. a male occupational
therapist, secretarial and clerical
POSITIONS: and additional nursing
positions.
Recruitment Hampered.
zone would gather from the
newspaper lThe Starr reporters S
story that there has been little
done to attract personnel to staff
the Psychiatric Service. Not only
lis the lack of personnel prob
lem in Gallinger, it is also seri-
Gus problem In their branches Of
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