Surgical news [November 1971]

              SURGICAL NEWS
November 1971
As anticipated, the waiting list for routine admissions is again growing. Since no new
beds have been added, we can expect a worse situation than we had last year at this time. It
is absolutely essential that we are as accurate as can be in establishing the admission priorities.    Sticking to these guidelines is the only fair thing to do.
A reminder from Medical  Records tells us that when dictating the history and physical
examination on a patient who is to be admitted,  please state that the "patient will he admitted on  (approximate date)".    Also, when dictating out-patient reports please indicate
after Riving the patient's name that these are out-patient or Emergency Room reports.    Dr.
GeoTge Wolff, Chairman of Medical  Records Committee, reminds us that a large percentage of
the recorded history and physical examinations are deficient in past history,  family history,
and review of systems,    lie stated that this should be recorded on admission,  if the patient
has  not been readmitted within a 30 day period.
On Monday, November 29,  1971, three representatives  from the Travenol Medical  Electronics
Equipment Compeny came down from Chicago to talk with Miss Caudle, Or.  Spencer and myself.     It
seems that they do have a solution to our problem with the monitors  and hopefully within the
next few weeks we can use them safely.
At a special calr*Teneral Staff meeting the Ry-Laws of the Medical  and Dental Staff were
either changed or amended.    The rules  and regulations have all been updated and accepted.  They
simply reflect the opinions of the various services  and committees  throughout the hospital  and
also can be changed.     If anyone thinks  a change is necessary, please let us  know right away.
In early  1972 we will have a survey from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
This is a volunteer organization that surveys hospitals  and other health-care institutions  and
facilities and evaluates  them in relation feto well  defined and accepted set of standards
necessary to establish and maintain high quality care.    This was  started  in  1918 by the American
College of Surgeons and  in that year 700 hospitals were surveyed and  13 per cent met minimal
standards.     In the early SO's they joined with the American College of Physicians,  the AMA
and the American Hospital Association to form the Joint Commission.    This survey is done only
on request of the hospital and  is a voluntary, paid,  professional consultation and evaluation.
I think that our By-Laws and Rules and Regulations and practice*»£in a« keeping with their