Newspapers / InterCom (Durham, N.C.) / Feb. 1, 1959, edition 1 / Page 4
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Page 4 Duke Hospital, InterGom By Charles II. Frenzel This issue of Intercom carries a j)ic,torial and statistical story of Duke University Medical Center—1958. I believe a brief analysis of the factors influencin*' our costs might be timely. The cost per patient day of care— $26.66 is up from $24.16 in 1957, or a 10.3% increase; the cost per out patient visit—$7.60 is up from $6.28 in 1957, or a 22^^ increase. Part of this increase can be attrib uted to the opening' of the new wiiif? in the latter half of 1957 without an attending increase in patient’s days of care and out patient visits. lIosj)ital costs in the United States are iucreasin; at the annual rate of approximately 5%. Personnel costs rei)resent the (greater part of this in crease as hospitals attempt to keep pace with the rising? cost of living and compete with each other for the short sui)ply of professional employees and with otlier industries for the better clerical and auxiliary personnel. The cost of supj)lies and materials is also steadily climbing. Several other factors are important in the cost picture at Duke Hospital. As a Medical Center Hospital we must be the first to test out and use the new and expensive drugs; we nuist take the lead in developing and utiliz ing technological advances in medi cine. As they become available new diagnostic and treatment services jnust be added for our patients. Another major cost factor is prob ably the most significant. This is the long-time trend of Duke Hospital to ward becoming a referral center for the difficult and costly diagnostic, operative, and treatment cases. It is evident that our costs will con tinue to rise as there is no indication (Continued on Page 6) Mrs. Lessie Patterson Outstanding Employee of the Month Mrs. Lessie Patterson, ward helper on Howland Ward has been selected as the first Outstanding Employee of the Month. Mrs. Patterson’s selection launches the new Employee Recognition Pro gram aimed at singling out those em ployees who excel in siu'h areas as job performance; relationships with [)atients, visitors, and other employ ees; and over-all attitude. When an nouncing Mrs. Patterson’s selection a spokesman for the Selection Commit tee (juoted those w'ho recommended her: “warm, sincere approach . . . loved by the ])atients, parents, and > -T - Mrs. Lessie Patterson staff”; “does about 4 times as much work as most workers”; “shows initia tive and a deep sense of responsibil ity”; “It has been one of my chief l)leasures at Duke to have the oppor tunity to know and work with Mrs. Pat.” I5orn in Chatham County in 1905, Mrs. Pat lived there until she was eleven years old. She has spent her life since 1916 in Durham County. She was educated in the Chatham County schools and at Lowes Grove. Excei)t for two years in a nnuiitions plant in Chapel Hill, Mrs. Pat has been employed at Duke Hospital since 1944. Mrs. Patterson and her hus band have no children. The Committee spokesman stated that the members of the Committee were highly gratified with the re- sj)onse by emi>loyees to the Em])loyee Recognition Program. All nomina tions will be carried forward each time. Thus it is unnecessary to nomi nate a candidate a second time. How ever, everyone in the Medical Center is encouraged to submit a nomination for the person of his choice. Forms are available in the Personnel Office as well as in each department in the Medical Center. During 1959 a total of five persons will be selected as “Outstanding Employee of the Month.” At the end of the year the (lualifications of these five emploj’- ees will be reviewed and the “Out standing Employee of the Year” will be selected and announced. Nominate your candidate and watch this space for the April winner. What People Are Saying From Charlotte, N. C. It could have been circumstance; it probably was training. At any rate may I commend Duke Hospital’s telephone manners. On a recent dif ficult call your people not only i>er- sisted until the person called was lo cated, they were all exceedingly po lite in the process. From a Member of the Duke Medical Center Staff: I want somehow to let you know how grateful I am to you and your fine (nursing) staff for the help and care which I received at Duke Hos pital this last week, following our auto accident. The true meaning of humane con sideration and action was apparent in everyone’s eyes and hands. Such thoughtful kindness and efficiency render me ever thankful.
InterCom (Durham, N.C.)
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Feb. 1, 1959, edition 1
4
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