Newspapers / InterCom. / Dec. 1, 1961, edition 1 / Page 4
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Page 4 Duke Hospital, InterCom Supt^^ Cotnet By Charles H. Frenzel Noise can be most disturbing and aggravating to a sick person. It is generally accepted that a hospital will have a much lower noise level than we normally find in our environment. How quiet is Duke Hospital? It may be easy to explain the sources of noise in our hospital: con stant construction and renovation, a teaching atmosphere with students of all types learning in our patient areas, and a large out-patient service bring ing thousands of people into our cor ridors every day. Quiet, however is a state of mind, a measure of concern for others, and there is no excuse for unnecessary noise in a hospital. * * * * The MEND Committee of the Duke University Medical Center did an ex cellent job with our Disaster Plan and a series of progressively more difficult simulated disaster situations were suc cessfully handled in exercises. Now the committee is embarking upon a comprehensive Fall-Out Preparedness Plan and from the way they are tack ling the job, I am confident that they will be equally successful. The plan will be designed to cover the entire University, and membership from other departments of the University has been added to the committee in developing our needs. The Duke University Fall-Out Preparedness Plan should be completed by early spring and will be tested as soon after its distribution as possible. « * * * On November 9 the hospital census reached 601, a new high in Duke Hos pital’s history. Although it is grati fying that Duke Hospital services are receiving increasing public accept- (Continued on page 6) Building Committee '^Spot Check” Work has begun on the renovation project for the PDC entrance. All patients and visitors wall be requested to use the present OPD entrance. Signs have been located for this pur pose. It is planned to enclose the portico and provide automatic doors. Welch Ward is being remodeled to accommodate the Clinical Research Unit preparatory to its moving into new quarters in the Clinical Research Building. At present, modernizing of toilet facilities is underway. The utili ty room will be modernized next. The contract has been let for the air conditioning of Minot, Cushing and Holmes Wards. This work will be accomplished over the Christmas holi days. It is expected that workmen will be on the job around the clock seven days a week with the possible exception of Christmas Day. The plan is to complete work in the patients’ rooms in three weeks. Estimated cost of the project: $285,000. Some work will be done at the same time to pro vide for future installation of piped oxygen and installation of suction outlets. Plans are under way for altering and expanding the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Depart ments by closing in the courtyard. Space will be provided for the Co ordinator of Rehabilitation Services who will also have staff and otfice space for pre-vocational testing. As part of the same project, the Brace Shop will be expanded into the S(M'vice Court aiul a passageway will be cut through into the present cor ridor by the Medical Scliool Library. Tliis will make it possible for patients to (‘ntei’ the department witliont going outside and will eliminate the danger ous stairway from the first floor. Also, as part of the .same project, the Hospital Store will be expanded over the new section of the Brace Shop. There will not be enough space to expand the services of the Store, but it will help meet the preeent crowded conditions. BEING NOISY y^Youll winy. ' the thanks of our patients by speaking and V nnoving . quietly,
Dec. 1, 1961, edition 1
4
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