by Deb Lee, Heritage Committee and Calgary General Hospital Commemoration project
In our last article (February 25) we highlighted health care changes over the very early years of the Calgary General Hospital (CGH). After the 1950s opening of the 560-bed Calgary General Hospital #4, significant societal changes propelled new ways of doing things in health care and “The General” led with many innovations.
In this era, chronic diseases and accidents were the primary reasons to go to a hospital. People were living longer. The average lifespan grew from 60 years for men and 62 for women in 1931 to 66 years for men and 70.8 for women in 1951. Technology advanced and new disciplines emerged such as physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, and laboratory and X-ray technicians.
With the 1958 introduction of the Alberta Hospitalization Plan, the province took over the funding of hospitals, relieving the city from the burden of paying for hospital costs at “The General”. They maintained ownership and board leadership but now only had to pay for operational cost overruns. More funds became available to make necessary improvements.
Standards for hospital care were raised with the introduction of the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation (CCHA) in 1958. Participation was voluntary, but it was beneficial for hospitals to request regular review by CCHA and upgrade their services to meet with CCHA standards accordingly. “The General” got on board, with continual improvement to its services and programs.
One recommendation of CCHA was the inclusion of chaplains. “The General” was the first hospital in Alberta to do so, in 1960. In addition to religious ministrations, chaplains with the Pastoral Care department provided a range of caring services to patients as well as to staff. Reverend Chapman, one of CGH’s first chaplains, also volunteered to lead the General Hospital Choir of 100 staff members who sang for patients and staff at Christmas.
As the incidence of chronic lung conditions increased, “The General”, under the leadership of Dr. M. Ishii, started the Inhalation Therapy service in 1964. Beginning with one therapist and three respirators, it was the first and became the most advanced such department in Southern Alberta. This innovative service drew significant interest from hospitals across Canada. Recognizing the growing need for Respiratory Therapists, “The General” began its in-house teaching program that transitioned to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in 1970.
Chronic diseases and accidents are the primary causes for the amputation of limbs. Focused rehabilitation and the use of artificial limbs, called prostheses, became the treatment of choice. CGH opened the first prosthetic service in a general hospital in Canada in 1967 and soon added an orthotic component to the department. Over the years, their products, along with rehabilitation, helped hundreds of patients regain function and return to productive lives.
Another significant change in local health care was the beginnings of the University of Calgary Medical School in 1967. Initially addressing the shortage of family physicians, the school soon attracted many new medical specialists who pursued advances in their fields.
In another first for CGH, under the leadership of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Norm Schachar, the first tissue bank for human joints was established. This enabled a viable joint transplant program where arthritic joints could be replaced, or limbs could be preserved in the case of bone cancers.
A commitment to continuing medical education got a boost in 1967 with a donation from the Mackid family, in memory of early CGH physicians, Doctors G. H. and L. S. Mackid. This fund provided for the annual Mackid Lecture and Seminar, where medical experts shared the latest research and practices on relevant topics, thus raising the expertise of all Calgary doctors.
Indeed, there was lots of progress in the 1950s and ’60s and this carried on in future years. Stay tuned to learn about more innovations at “The General”.
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