Abstract
This paper presents a description and preliminary objective evaluation of a new method of hospital organization. Replacing the traditional centralized scheme of organization the unit system concept involves the division of this hospital into a series of functionally autonomous units with a complete treatment team on each unit. The aim of this scheme was to offer to the patient more concentrated and personal attention.
With an awareness of the weaknesses of the historical approach, hospital statistics for the first year of operation under the unit system were compared with those of the previous year. Increases were noted in; the number of patients placed in hospital approved boarding homes, the number of patients placed on probation, and in the discharge rate. A decrease was noted in the average length of stay in hospital before discharge.
It is recognized that changes in data reflect not only the effects of the unit system but also the effects of other variables operative at this time. The data presented are suggestive rather than conclusive evidence of the efficiency of the unit system.