Evening star., 1953-04-24
ScreeningSetup
For Ambulance
Calls Urged
Medical Care Group
Sees Confusion in
Emergency Cases

oNAASJ GSAASA4oAASS NoA40 W DILL
plify the present confusion over
emergency cases.
The committee, headed by
William E. Leahy, today released
its report compiled after more
than a year of investigation of
District health problems.
The committee, pointing out
that often patients taken to a
hospital by the present emer-
gency ambulance service, "are at
times refused admission to the
emergency room," said the prac-
tice was often detrimental to the
patient.
It urged that central screen
ing agency "be utilized not only
for emergency ambulance calls
but also for emergency physi--
clans service. IF feasible" the
committee said, "use of the Dis
trict Medical Society Medical Bu-
reau would be the logical agency
to assume this function.
The committee also recon-
mended that trained attendants
for all emergency ambulance
calls replace interns except when
the screening indicates the need
for a physician.
The committee said "all hos
pitals should adopt the policy
of accepting into the emergency
room any patient brought in by
the emergency ambulance serv-
ice. Discharge or transfer ar
rangementS would be made only
after the patient has been ade-
Quately examined"
The Health Department has
two ambulances to transport
non-emergency INDECENT and
medically INDECENT patients to
and from hospitals and clinics.
The committee said the service
should be continued and that it
fills a real need.
Some of the other specific
recommendations were:
General Medical Care.
1. The eligibility for tax-sup-
ported medical care for the indi-
gent patient be based on the
medical and social needs of the
patient, in relation to the re-
sources and future earning ca
pacity of the family. At present
the maximum income and resi-
dence requirements are strictly
adhered to in determining eligi-
bility-regardless of medical
need.
2. Rates of payment by the
District to voluntary hospitals
for care of INDECENT patients be
raised to a level more consistent
with the costs to the hospital.
3. More effective methods be
developed to furnish drugs to
needy patients.
4. More funds be made avail
able for the purchase of arti-
fetal limbs and other appliances
for the INDECENT.
S. Clinics be established to
serve medically INDECENT during
evening hours and on week ends.
Hospitals.
1. The inpatient and outpati-
ent facilities of the voluntary
hospitals should be used for med
ical care of the needy to the
fullest extent.
2. There should be no reStric-
tions on inpatient care of indi-
gent patients who have been at
tending the outpatient depart
ments of the voluntary hospitals.
3. There be constructed by the
District a complete Health Cen
ter In the center of the District
with a fuller utilization of the
outpatient departments of pri-
vate hospitals and Gallinger.
1uDefculOS1S.
/. More adequate salaries to
attract key personnel in the
Bureau of tuberculosis.
2. Addition of a medical as
sistant and non-medical assis-
tant to the Bureau of Tubercu-
loSis.
8. Construction of 300 new
tuberculosis beds at Gallinger
Hospital.
Nursing Care.
Secure a minimum of 3.5
hours of nursing care per patient
in "a hours in the hospitals in
the District by releasing nurses
from non-nursing duties.
2. Licensing Of practic al
nurses.
8. Increase the number of
public health nurses in the COM
munity for more home care.
Mental Health.
1. Construction at Gallinger
Hospital of a 200 bed psychiatric
building.
The survey also lists recon-
mendations in fields of dental
health, rehabilitation, statistical
activities, venereal disease, labo-
ratory facilities and maternal
and child health.
The committee asked that the
executive committee of the sur
vey continue in existence to 'en-
sure. that the recommendations
Of the survey are carried out"
Members Of the executive COM
mittee Of the General Survey
Committee are, besides Mr..
Leagh. Committee are, besides
Mr.. Leahy, DR.. Montgomery
Blair, Edward K. Funkhouser,
DR.. william p. Herbst. Joseph w.
Leverenz, ISadore Seeman, G.
Rowland Shaw.
Also, Theodore Wiprud, DR..
Wallace Yater, DR.. Edward T.
Thompson, DR.. Daniel L. Seek
niger and DR.. Frederick c. Heath.
2,089 to Graduate