The Quantitative Analysis of the Quality of Medical Care Practiced on a Medical Service in a Federal Short-Term General Hospital

摘要

The objective of the study was to measure, quantitatively, the quality of medical care that was practiced at the USAF Hospital, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. Two major variables formed the basis of the comparisons. The first involved the differences in care received by officers, non-commissioned officers and lower grade enlisted patients at the Chanute Hospital. Then, the aggregate care received at Chanute was compared with that afforded patients on the University Service of the Yale-New Haven Medical Center. From the quantitative comparisons made, it was generally concluded that there was no significant difference in the quality of care practiced on the two medical services. This was in spite of the histories and physicals produced by medical students within the University Service. There was significant differences in the quality of care received by the three rank groupings within the USAF Hospital, Chanute. These differences were due almost exclusively to the poor showing made by the lower grade enlisted patients. For this group, relatively small use was made of the comprehensive long form history and physical for hospitalization in excess of 48 hours. The non-commissioned officers received the most thorough medical care, but in most instances it was not significantly better than that received by officers. (Author)