Military rule, or organization based on it, is supposed to prevail to a large extent in the training school, and it is equally important for it to prevail throughout the other departments of the hospital. While with nations, civil laws undergo changes as the spirit of the times change, yet the fundamental principles of military organization remain unchanged. There is a distinct gradation of officers, and every man is recognized only in his station. If a private soldier has a grievance or a report, he is expected to state it to the officer immediately above him. The captain cannot officially approach a general and ignore the intermediate officers. The general gives his orders to the officer next to him in rank, and they pass down the line from rank to rank. Only thus can a general hope to command the army of a nation successfully. Each man is expected to be in his place and attend to the duties of his position and not meddle with the affairs of others. Practically the same system prevails in large business corporations, and no better basis for organizing a working force of an institution has been discovered.
Rules
Much as the average American dislikes rules, the fact remains that some are necessary. The business is greatly overdone in some hospitals, in others too much laxity exists, and this inevitably tends to lower the tone of the institution. For the domestic department it is wise to have cards with a set of general rules printed and framed and posted in conspicuous places to serve as reminders. Each hospital superintendent will have his own ideas of what general rules should be made for the government of his hospital employees, but a specimen set of rules may not be out of order.
1. All services are at certain rates per month or week for time actually served. Employees desiring to leave shall give one week’s notice to the superintendent. The superintendent reserves the right to summarily discharge any employee for any cause when his presence is detrimental to the interests of the institution.
2. No reading or smoking in bed at night is allowed and smoking or chewing of tobacco is forbidden during working hours.
3. No duplicate keys for any part of the hospital shall be made except for and by the hospital. All persons having hospital keys shall deliver them to the superintendent if absence over night is anticipated.
4. No employee shall enter the room of another at the hospital without knocking and waiting for reply. Female employees shall on no account visit men’s rooms nor male employees women’s rooms.
5. No employee, unless duty requires it, shall enter the wards without permission of the superintendent, nor shall they enter departments where they have no duty except on business.
6. Employees shall be prompt at meals. Those coming late will be expected to explain the reason. No cooking, heating or keeping of tea, coffee, or food shall be allowed on the premises other than in places provided for them and by persons employed for such duties.
7. All employees will, when practicable, be allowed two half days off duty each month and when convenient a part of each Sunday, subject to the needs of the institution and the discretion of the superintendent.