Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War

by Unknown

The Bureau has been furnishing all personnel and equipment for the work in these hospitals, and this work should be established in the hospitals where there are 50 or more War Risk patients, and continued in the smaller hospitals where it is now established until the number available for this work is reduced to 20. In all contract hospitals where contracts are to be made in the future suitable supplies should be required of the hospital for this work as a part of the minimum standard for hospital requirements.

PUBLIC HEALTH HOSPITALS

Formerly the Public Health Service furnished all personnel and equipment utilized in Physiotherapy. The personnel utilized in Occupational Therapy was also furnished by the Public Health Service but the workers engaged in Pre-Vocational Training were furnished by the Federal Board.

In view of the consolidation of all three agencies for the care of the World War Veterans in the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau, the following relation is recommended between the Public Health Service and the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau. Physiotherapy Aides, and Reconstruction Aides used in Occupational Therapy, will be furnished by the Public Health Service and will be paid by them from appropriations made from time to time by this Bureau. The workers and teachers utilized in Pre-Vocational Training in Public Health Hospitals will be furnished and paid by the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau. The Aides will work directly under the medical officers in direct contact with the patient under the general supervision of the Medical Officer in Charge of the hospital. The teachers and workers in Pre-Vocational Training will operate directly under the Educational Director of the hospital, who in turn will be directly responsible to the Commanding Officer or Medical Officer in Charge of the Hospital.

SUPPLIES

Supplies and equipment for the work in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and Pre-Vocational Training will be furnished by the Public Health Service or upon request of the Public Health Service by the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau.

SUITABLE SPACE FOR WORK

It is necessary, in order to carry on the work in Occupational Therapy and pre-vocational training to have well lighted space, properly ventilated and heated, suitable situated, and approximately, ten per cent of the bed space in a hospital. This, however, does not have to be in a ward, but may be provided in a separate building.

3. The general outline of the policy is that to serve the men in Occupational Therapy and pro-vocational training it will require one teacher for every 20 men at work, or for every 40 men in a hospital, exclusive of the administrative force, as it is estimated that only 50 per cent will be available for this work. Experience has taught us that, where there are 50 beds there will be 20 or more men available for this work, and that in such small groups trade work should not be undertaken, but in hospitals of 200 beds or more the work should be organized on the following lines—Occupational Therapy for ward work and pre-vocational training, to include academic, commercial, agricultural and trade work, as the survey of the hospital indicates and as the Medical Officer in charge may approve.

4. In organizing the work in new hospitals a survey of the needs and facilities shall be made to the Medical Division for approval before the work is established. When the hospital population has been so reduced in any unit that it is deemed impracticable by the Medical Division to continue this work, it may be closed at their direction.