Centralized Treatment for Seriously Ill Surgical Patients

† The critically ill surgical patient in some instances suffers from inadequate care because of the shortage of nursing personnel. Such patients should be segregated in an area staffed by specially trained personnel; the unit here described has one supervisor, graduate nurses, practical nurses, orderlies, a general duty aide, and a dressing room aide. One full-time surgical resident is assigned to it. The unit is built with certain features, such as glass partitions, that facilitate observation; it is also equipped with certain facilities that never leave this area. Records especially emphasizing the needs of such patients have been developed. Certain administrative problems, such as the selection of patients and their subsequent removal to regular quarters, have been solved satisfactorily. This arrangement guarantees expert care to those who need it most, relieves pressure in other areas, allows a more generous use of auxiliary help, and lightens the demand for private nursing care for the individual patient.