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37
Patients discharged, 122 (including 2 deaths).
Average duration of stay, 19 weeks 3 days.
Number of patient days, 19,029.
Number of beds available at end of year, 56.
Average number of beds occupied, 52.13.
The number of patients admitted in 1927 has been slightly less
than in 1926. This is due to the fact that the average duration of
stay has lengthened. Patients are beginning to realise that the
"classical" three months' sojourn in a sanatorium is insufficient
to render tuberculosis quiescent and, where financial or domestic
conditions permit, are willing to prolong their stay, with corresponding
beneficial results.
During this year five additional shelters for male patients were
purchased, and were brought into use early in October. These
are of the non-revolving type, all four sides being made to open
or shut, so that a patient can manipulate the shutters without
going outside. These are a distinct advance on the old revolving
type of shelter, whose runners and castors required frequent
attention and necessitated the occupant going outside to push them
round in inclement weather. During the three months the new
shelters have been in use they have proved quite satisfactory, in
fact, they are very popular with the patients.
Treatment by artificial pneumothorax has been carried out in
suitable cases; the number of refills being 114, and the results
very beneficial.
The agreement with the Forest Hospital, Buckhurst Hill, for the
X-raying of patients has again worked quite satisfactorily.
Bacteriological examination of patients' sputa is carried out
at "Harts." The sputum of every patient is examined on admission
and afterwards as and when necessary; the number examined
in 1927 being 161.
The entertainments given by Concert and Dramatic Parties
have been much appreciated by the patients, as also was the singing
of carols by a Choir on Boxing Day.