In 1893, patient care at Lancaster General Hospital was very different from what patients experience today.
In the last decade of the 19th century, hospitals were uncommon, causing a need for “Conduct and Duties of Patients” to be posted to allow the clinical staff to do their jobs without distraction. The conduct and duties expected of patients included:
- Patients shall conduct themselves with decorum toward each other, the officers of the hospital, the nurses and servants; they shall not use profane or indecent language, become intoxicated, or behave rudely or indecently; they shall not smoke tobacco or play at any game of chance in the hospital.
- No liquors, provisions or medicines of any kind shall be furnished to patients by their friends, and no patient shall be permitted the use of any diet other than that which may be ordered by the proper officers.
- No patient shall be permitted to leave the hospital while under treatment, except by special permission of the Superintendent.
- Such charity patients, as are able, shall give assistance in nursing or otherwise when required to do so by a physician, nurse or superintendent.
- No reading in bed at night, either by patients or any other person connected with the institution, shall be allowed.
- Visiting hours are 2 to 4 p.m. daily.
Today, the rules of conduct have been replaced by a more balanced patient bill of rights to ensure a safe and healing environment for all, and there are now entire teams dedicated to providing an optimal experience for individuals and families.
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