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University Daily Kansan Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1957
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Getting Our Money's Worth?
The number of Asian flu cases reached "mild epidemic" proportions at KU Friday, according to Dr. Ralph I. Canuteson, director of the Student Health Service. KU was the first locality in Kansas to declare such an epidemic. About 80 patients had symptoms which were diagnosed as influenza at that time, Dr. Canuteson said.
The Asian flu might have picked a better year to hit KU. The staff of Watkins Hospital would have had their hands full this year just caring for the normal medical needs of a near-record enrollment.
As he stands in line for a flu shot or sweats out a flu-caused fever, the disgruntled student may have some deep purple views about how his hospital is operated. Why isn't the outpatient service faster? Why is there a charge for drugs and medicines? If there are six doctors on daytime duty, why isn't there a night staff provided?
These old questions come up year after year. The Daily Kansan prints its share of "anti-hospital" letters to the editor.
This is as good a time as any to ask ourselves: Are we getting our money's worth for the $12-per-seminum health fee?
Watkins Memorial Hospital, built in 1931, was a gift to the students of the University from Mrs. J. B. Watkins. The generous lady provided funds for the building, furnished it with the latest medical equipment and furniture and turned it over to a grateful University.
A staff of 55 keeps the hospital running. Six general physicians, a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, a psychiatric social worker, physical therapists, dietitian, laboratory and X-Ray technicians, a pharmacist, medical record librarian, graduate nurses, and kitchen, office and maintenance staffs are on full or part-time duty.
The remainder of the money needed to keep this "health plant" running comes almost entirely from student health fees of $12 per semester. About $180,000 per year is needed for staff salaries alone.
What We Get
Despite the traditional health and vigor of students, the chances are three to one that you will use some of the hospital's services before the end of the year.
Outpatient service makes up the biggest part of the hospital's services. Outpatients are patients treated at the hospital for minor injuries or ailments, then released. Last year about 50,000 outpatient cases were treated.
For the more serious illness or injury, confinement to the hospital is necessary. In more normal times, hospital beds are also available for the student who simply needs a day of rest.
Physical examinations are required of all new students for matriculation. Additional examinations are done for diagnostic purposes, for special groups and upon request of the student to meet various requirements for scholarships and jobs.
Who Else Gets Service?
Can anyone but a student be treated at the hospital? Yes, if there is room for him. University faculty and staff members get first priority on the bed space, but other patients have been admitted in the past.
The hospital's policy of selective admissions brings up problems of payment for hospital services. Since the hospital is supported from student fees, some argue, only students should be admitted. If faculty members or other persons want hospital service, they should be assessed a fee, the argument goes.
"It costs about $12 per day to maintain a patient in a hospital room," Dr. Canuteson said. "But since bed patients make up such a small percentage of the number of cases treated by the Student Health Service, it seemed unfair to charge all the students for the hospital care of only a few."
For this reason, student-patients are charged $3 per day for hospital rooms. Faculty members are charged $9 per day. Others are charged the full rate of $12.
"It's been a long time since the hospital has admitted anyone outside the University." Dr. Canuteson said.
As tor other costs, students must pay 25-50 per cent of charges for X-Rays and 25 per cent of the charges for prescriptions. Prescription charges are figured at cost, plus a 15 per cent handling charge.
How Is The Service?
The Daily Kansan recently printed a letter written by a disgruntled student after a friend failed to get prompt medical attention at the hospital during the night.
The problem of nighttime hospital service is a big one, Dr. Canutelson admits. Since the hospital has only six doctors, they are kept busy during the day, especially in the outpatient clinic. One doctor is on call each night at his home.
In case of emergencies, the only medical personnel at the hospital at night are two trained nurses. Dr. Canuteson estimated it took from 10 to 15 minutes for the doctors to reach the hospital from their homes.
"We feel that the hospital is giving adequate night service at present," Dr. Canuteson said. "The additional cost of hiring a full night staff would be far more than the hospital can afford at present," he said.
A hospital liaison committee was established in the All Student Council about ten years ago to process student complaints about hospital service.
Since that time, Dr. Canuteson says, only one complaint has been received. However, numerous letters have been received and printed by The Daily Kansan.
Needs Of Tomorrow
With 78 beds, Watkins Hospital may be large enough for the normal medical needs of the University.
But when the campus is hit by epidemics such as the present one, the hospital begins to look pretty small. The staff of only six doctors looks even smaller.
The logical answer for a better hospital of the future seems to be to expand the present building and staff. A building addition would cost about $400,000. Dr. Canuteson estimates.
Unless state or federal aid is forthcoming in the future, look for more increases in the student health fees. Caught in a costprice squeeze, the hospital must find a way out of its present medical service stalemate.
Like all medical services, public or private, the KU Student Health Service probably could stand improvement. Since it is our health service, we must pay for it. Since it serves us, it is up to us, the students, to help improve it.
Dailu Transan UNIVERSITY
Larry Boston
University of Kansas student newspaper
Founded 1889, became biweekly 1904,
published monthly 1913.
Telephone VIking 3-2700
Extension 251, news room
Extension 252, business office
Member Inland Daily Press Association Associated Collegiate Press. Representer Service Madison Ave, New York. MA, News service: United Press. Mail subscription
rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year. Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays, and examination periods. Entered as second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
NEWS DEPARTMENT
NEWS DEPARTMENT
Bob Lyle Managing Editor
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Larry Boston ... Editorial Editor
John Eaton, Del Haley, Jim Sledd, Associate Editors.
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