HOSPITAL SUPPORT IN KOREA
In medical planning for combat support, many estimates must be developed from consideration of projected
numbers of hospital patients and beds. Estimates may be made, for example, concerning number and classes of
hospital beds and hospitals and of medical personnel required to operate them, or numbers and classes of
military personnel who will reach personnel replacement depots after hospital treatment. In making these
estimates, the planner deals at one time or another with projected hospital admissions; with hospital bed
occupancy and the average duration of hospital stay, influencing and influenced by the length of the
evacuation policy; and with dispositions from hospital, by type of disposition, returns to duty,
out-of-theater evacuations, deaths; and for echelon-to-echelon analysis-transfers to other hospitals. All of
these are needed separately for various categories of patients (for example, Army, non-Army; battle
casualty, disease and nonbattle injury) and for various types of hospitals (for example, close combat
support, and communications zone). While past experience seldom provides exact parallels to the situations
with which the planner must deal, it often provides a basis, or at least a starting point, for the
development of useful descriptions of relationships among the variables to be considered in planning for
hospitalization.
It is extremely difficult at best to present a picture of hospital support in Korea which would reflect
the classical configuration of echelon deployment. During the initial stages of the campaign, hospital
support was critically short. By the end of the first 6 months, all U.N. casualties had received their care
from a maximum of four mobile army surgical hospitals (whose bed capacities increased from 60 to 150 by
November 1950), three 400-bed semi mobile evacuation hospitals, four 400-bed field hospitals, one station
hospital, and three hospital ships (9). During the year 1951, the same four mobile army surgical
hospitals (with bed capacities increased to 200 in May 1951) continued in close support of the frontline
divisions. In April 1951, an additional unit of this type became operational. Of the three 400-bed semi
mobile evacuation hospitals, only one continued its mission in reasonably close support of combat troops,
one was inactivated in December 1950, and the other was returned to Japan upon the withdrawal from North
Korea following the intervention of the Chinese Communists When this latter unit was later recommitted in
July 1951 at Taejon, it was too far to the rear to permit its utilization in close support of the divisions.
A fourth evacuation hospital was at Conju until the fall of 1951 when it moved to Wonju. Although three
additional evacuation hospitals were committed in November 1951, they operated more or less in the role of
station hospitals. Of the four field hospitals that had been in Korea in 1950, only one functioned in its
normal role and it was inactivated in November 1951. Another that had returned to Japan in December 1950 was
recommitted at Koje-do in April 1951 to provide medical care for enemy prisoners of war. The other two field
hospitals were in Pusan and they also were engaged in treating enemy prisoners. The one station hospital
activated in 1950 was operational in Pusan until November 1951, when it was inactivated. A second station
hospital was operational in Pusan until October 1951.
HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN KOREA, 1952
With the initiation of truce talks at Kaesong in July 1951 and the subsequent general stabilization of
battlelines, the functions of certain hospitals in the chain of evacuation in Korea became identifiable,
although somewhat unorthodox, since the functions of those hospitals were not those indicated by their
official designations. Nevertheless, by considering the functions actually performed rather than the unit
designations, the relationship of the units to the pattern of hospital operations became generally,
discernible, and the framework in which these data are presented, represents a reconstruction
56
of the way in which the hospitalization. and evacuation systems operated in Korea in 1952.
In this manner, 10 separate functional types of hospitals could be identified among the 25 U.S. Army
hospitals which were operated at various times by designated U.S. Army medical units in Korea during this
period. It was also possible to group nine of the 10 types of U.S. Army hospitals in Korea into the two
major zones of operations: the field army area (combat zone) and the communications zone. Since the POW
(prisoner-of-war) hospitals were established expressly to treat and care for internees and enemy prisoners
of war, they are considered as a separate group and have not been identified with either of the two major
operational echelons of hospitalization.
Calendar Year 1952 is particularly relevant to this analysis because it represented a period during which
the hospitalization and evacuation pattern for Korea remained fairly even, reflecting the relative
stabilization of battle lines which took place after initiation of truce talks in mid-1951.
The character of tactical operations is reflected in the frontispiece which shows admissions for U.S.
Army personnel to hospital and quarters, for each month, in terms of numbers per year per 1,000 average
strength. For the first 5 months of 1952, the trend of the battle casualty rates reflects relatively minor
engagements, patrol skirmishes, and occasional raids into enemy territory. In June, the battle casualty
admission rate tripled when heavy fighting for possession of strategic heights broke out in the
Chorwon-Yonchon sector of the central front. A seesaw "battle of the ridges" continued during July, settling
down in August to localized though bitter battles for individual hills: "Old Baldy," "T-Bone," and "Bunker
Hill." Fighting for the latter hill raged on indecisively during September. Battle casualty admissions
reached their peak for the year during October, when the Communists launched a coordinated attack (the
largest of the year) on the western and central fronts. Wounded admissions declined sharply in November and
December, reflecting curtailment of combat operations in the severe winter weather.
Variations in admission rates for nonbattle causes reflected annual seasonal influences to some extent;
the rate for February represented a winter peak, and rates for January and March were relatively high. The
subsequent decline was interrupted in May- increased incidence of neuropsychiatric conditions and of malaria
was reported, coincident with increasing intensity of combat- but the downward trend was resumed in
September.
It should be pointed out that the situation depicted is perhaps completely atypical in some respects- for
example, a very high proportion of patients in Army hospitals in Korea in 1952 were non-Army personnel,
chiefly, prisoners of war. On the other hand, these data present a body of data pertaining to all
hospitals in a combat area-communications zone system although, ordinarily, readily available logistical
information pertains only to fixed hospitals. While the data provide a historically valid quantitative
account of a 12-month period of wartime Army hospital operations in Korea as they actually took place, it is
necessary to emphasize that any critical analysis of these data should evaluate very carefully the many
special factors which influenced them.
SOURCE OF DATA
Each Army medical treatment facility which provided hospital beds was required to submit a Beds and
Patients Report (DD Form 443) each month to The Surgeon General and to senior medical officers in
appropriate intermediate headquarters. These data were obtained from that report, which was submitted weekly
as required by Army regulations in effect in 1952 (10). The report included the number of admissions to
hospitals, distinguishing "initial" admissions (patients, admitted directly, and patients referred from
dispensaries, aid stations, and other nonhospital facilities) from admissions by transfer from other
hospitals. The number of dispositions from hospital by type (such as duty, death, evacuation to the United
States, and transfers to other medical treatment facilities) was also included, along with the patient
census and the number of beds occupied. These data were reported separately for several types of patients-
Army, Navy-Marine Corps, and Air Force active-duty personnel, and other patients as a group. When a
facility's patients included battle casualties, a separate report pertaining to battle casualties was
submitted. Medical treatment facilities providing hospital care for prisoners of war also furnished data
pertaining specifically to that category of patients.
OUTPATIENT AND QUARTERS CARE
Although these data deal with hospitalization in Korea, it is of background interest to note briefly the
size of the nonhospital patient care workload in
57
that particular area during this period of the Korean War.
Of those who required care at Army medical treatment facilities, the majority were not, of course,
admitted to hospital or excused from duty for treatment elsewhere, but were, in reality, attended as
outpatients. During 1952, in Korea, there were more than 4,700,000 visits to Army medical treatment
facilities by outpatients; and almost 1,500,000 of these outpatient visits were made by Army active-duty
personnel, at sick call or at other times (11).
The patient who is admitted in the course of a visit to a medical treatment facility is not reported as
an outpatient. He is a "direct admission"- that is, for U.S. military personnel, a patient excused from duty
(retained past midnight, so that his organization's Morning Report reflects a change in his status) for
treatment in hospital or "quarters," including nonhospital facilities such as aid stations, clearing
stations, and dispensaries. During calendar year 1952, Army, hospitals and other Army medical treatment
facilities in Korea reported some 133,172 admissions "to hospital and quarters" for Army active-duty
personnel, including 12,007 wounded admissions and 121,165 disease and nonbattle injuries.
Of these admissions to hospital and quarters, treatment for a high proportion was completed forward of
hospital or while they were in a "quarters" status- they did not become hospital admissions. Thus, in Korea
during 1952, there were approximately 73,000 initial admissions to hospital for U.S. Army personnel, the
remaining excused-from-duty patients being treated not as hospital patients but in "quarters" or in
nonhospital facilities. For U.S. Army personnel in Korea, the rates of admission per year per l,000 average
strength were as follows: to hospital and quarters for all causes, 576, and to hospital, 326; for wounded,
to hospital and quarters, 52, and to hospital, 44; and for nonbattle causes, to hospital and quarters, 524,
and to hospital, 282.
LIMITATIONS OF DATA
Tables 54 through 57 present data on patient flow and other hospitalization data in detail, for all
personnel and for U.S. Army personnel, separately, by cause of admission (battle and nonbattle) for
individual U.S. Army hospitals operating in Korea during 1952. The data are also presented for functional
groups of hospitals.
It will be observed that "initial admissions" have not been supplied for the individual hospitals listed
in tables 54-57. While the total number of hospital admissions reported from Korea in 1952 appears to be
valid, analysis indicates that the reported number of initial hospital admissions was understated,
particularly for Army patients admitted for nonbattle causes, with a corresponding overstatement in the
number of admissions by transfer. Such, a disparity may arise when personnel at rearward hospitals assume
erroneously that patients from forward units should be reported as "transfers," the presumption being that
they will already have been reported as initial admissions by forward hospitals. Unfortunately, such an
assumption is perhaps least valid when it is most tempting to make it during periods of peak admission
loads. Peak work-loads at hospitals in the rear may reflect increased activity at the front, which, of
itself, may have required unusual or changed evacuation procedures- that is, medical treatment facilities
normally in the chain of evacuation may have been bypassed, or fighting on a flank may have resulted in a
large number of casualties in an area to which forward medical facilities had not yet been deployed, so that
the casualties were moved directly to rearward hospitals. Valid estimates of the correct numbers of the
initial admissions and of admissions by transfer may be obtained for the entire area by considering the
number and nature of the dispositions reported. Reasonably precise "corrections" may also be made in the
data pertaining to groups of hospitals. However, estimating "corrections" for individual hospitals is more
difficult and requires information not readily available. Consequently, estimated numbers of initial
hospital admissions and of admissions by transfer are presented for the Korean area as a whole and for
groups of hospitals, but such estimates for individual hospitals are not shown. It may be presumed with some
certainty, of course, that virtually all admissions to hospitals in the field army close-support group were
initial admissions.
FIELD ARMY AREA HOSPITALS
Units operating hospitals in the field, army area included five, designated as 60-bed mobile army
surgical hospitals, but augmented to 200-bed evacuation hospitals. These evacuation hospitals (semimobile)
furnisbed close support to the frontline troops. One of these hospitals (8225th MASH) became inoperational
at the end of May 1952. At that time, the portion of the line to its front was held by Republic of Korea
troops. However, it was later reopened, in September 1952, as a 60-bed
58
Table 54.- Patient flow and other hospitalization data,
U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952, all personnel, nonbattle causes
Major echelon of operation, type of hospital function, and specific unit
designation
|
Patient
census,
start
1952
|
Total admissions
|
Average
daily
number
beds
occupied2
|
Average
duration
in
hospital
(days)2
|
Disposition of patients by type
|
Patient
census,
end
1952
|
Total1
|
Initial1
|
Transfer1
|
All dis
positions
|
Duty
|
Death
|
Hospital
transfers
intra-
Korea
|
Evac
uation
to
Japan
|
Other dis
positions
|
Field Army area hospitals, total |
705
|
80,706
|
50,873
|
29,833
|
850
|
7.6
|
80,618
|
31,145
|
372
|
40,355
|
7,820
|
926
|
793
|
First level, close support, total |
290
|
35,989
|
35,989
|
(4)
|
209
|
2.4
|
36,137
|
8,173
|
214
|
26,773
|
89
|
888
|
142
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (200-bed),5 total |
290
|
34,157
|
34,157
|
(4)
|
192
|
2.1
|
34,335
|
7,515
|
212
|
25,647
|
89
|
872
|
112
|
8055th MASH (43d Surgical) |
92
|
11,659
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
48
|
1.7
|
11,711
|
1,674
|
45
|
9,966
|
(4)
|
26
|
40
|
8063d MASH (44th Surgical) |
59
|
6,869
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
38
|
2.0
|
6,893
|
1,360
|
84
|
5,360
|
89
|
(4)
|
35
|
8076th MASH (45th Surgical) |
24
|
7,094
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
34
|
1.8
|
7,105
|
1,999
|
32
|
4,496
|
(4)
|
578
|
13
|
8209th MASH (46th Surgical) |
91
|
6,599
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
58
|
3.2
|
6,666
|
1,887
|
40
|
4,471
|
(4)
|
208
|
24
|
8225th MASH (47th Surgical) |
24
|
1,936
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
33
|
2.5
|
1,960
|
595
|
11
|
1,354
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
Surgical hospital (mobile-army) (60-bed), 8225th MASH (47th
Surgical)7 |
(4) |
349
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
4
|
1.3
|
345
|
29
|
2
|
314
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
4
|
Transfer point, holding stations (60-120 bed), 629th Medical
Clearing Co. (Sep)8 |
(4)
|
1,483
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
19
|
3.0
|
1,457
|
629
|
(4)
|
812
|
(4)
|
16
|
26
|
Second level, Army rear, total |
415
|
44,717
|
14,884
|
29,833
|
641
|
7.3
|
44,481
|
22,972
|
158
|
13,582
|
7,731
|
38
|
651
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (400-bed), total |
415
|
40,651
|
13,313
|
27,338
|
505
|
4.6
|
40,591
|
20,212
|
107
|
12,755
|
7,517
|
(4)
|
475
|
11th Evacuation Hospital |
199
|
14,299
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
254
|
6.6
|
14.374
|
8.183
|
42
|
3,919
|
2,229
|
(4)
|
125
|
121st Evacuation Hospital |
216
|
26,352
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
251
|
3.6
|
26,218
|
12,029
|
65
|
8,836
|
5,288
|
(4)
|
350
|
Specialized treatment hospitals, total |
(4)
|
4,066
|
1,571
|
2,495
|
136
|
19.0
|
3,890
|
2,760
|
51
|
827
|
214
|
38
|
176
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury hospital (200-bed),5
8228th MASH (48th Surgical)9 |
(4)
|
2,237
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
133
|
16.8
|
2,091
|
1,386
|
50
|
618
|
(4)
|
37
|
146
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital (300-bed), 123d Medical Holding Co.
and 212th Psychiatric Detachment10 |
(4)
|
1,829
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
48
|
7.4
|
1,799
|
1,374
|
1
|
209
|
214
|
1
|
30
|
Communications Zone hospitals, total (less POW) |
1,068
|
30,288
|
25,998
|
13,290
|
1,162
|
11.6
|
39,011
|
23,573
|
134
|
1,806
|
9,372
|
4,126
|
1,345
|
Station, hospitals (400-bed), total |
768
|
30,207
|
21,218
|
8,989
|
674
|
8.5
|
30,351
|
20,226
|
32
|
666
|
8,806
|
621
|
624
|
21st Evacuation Hospital |
282
|
15,188
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
325
|
8.1
|
15,083
|
10,283
|
16
|
263
|
4,104
|
417
|
387
|
22d Evacuation Hospital11 |
346
|
4,564
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
288
|
9.8
|
4,910
|
3,726
|
2
|
64
|
1,106
|
12
|
(4)
|
25th Evacuation Hospital |
140
|
10,455
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
224
|
8.0
|
10,358
|
6,217
|
14
|
339
|
3,596
|
192
|
237
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital (400-bed), 8211th
Medical Administrative Detachment |
154
|
3,705
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
208
|
21.1
|
3,604
|
1,751
|
80
|
95
|
565
|
1,113
|
255
|
Korean Service Corps-station hospital (400-bed), 171st
Evacuation Hospital |
146
|
5,376
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
280
|
19.9
|
5,056
|
1,596
|
22
|
1,045
|
1
|
2,392
|
466
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals, total |
6,163
|
42,265
|
37,003
|
5,262
|
6,398
|
65.2
|
42,491
|
33,779
|
876
|
6,968
|
(4)
|
868
|
5,937
|
3d and 14th Field Hospitals (800-bed combined)12 |
4,789
|
8,020
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
3,864
|
147.6
|
11,475
|
8,033
|
591
|
2,234
|
(4)
|
617
|
1,334
|
64th Field Hospital (400-bed) |
1,347
|
30,238
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
2,448
|
31.6
|
27,234
|
23,411
|
264
|
3,557
|
(4)
|
2
|
4,378
|
514th Medical Clearing Company13 |
(4)
|
2,741
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
72
|
6.7
|
2,599
|
1,561
|
19
|
770
|
(4)
|
249
|
142
|
1st Platoon (100-bed) |
((4))
|
(585)
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(19)
|
7.9
|
(559)
|
(200)
|
(5)
|
(231)
|
(4)
|
(123)
|
(26)
|
2nd Platoon (100-bed) |
((4))
|
(1,556)
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(32)
|
5.3
|
(1,487)
|
(884)
|
(2)
|
(475)
|
(4)
|
(126)
|
(69)
|
3d Platoon (100-bed) |
((4))
|
(600)
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(21)
|
9.2
|
(553)
|
(477)
|
(12)
|
(64)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(47)
|
543d Medical Clearing Company (200-bed)14 |
(4)
|
1,266
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
90
|
11.3
|
1,183
|
774
|
2
|
407
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
83
|
59
1 Group totals estimated.
2 As indicated in these notes, some hospitals were not operational throughout the entire
calendar year. Averages in this column pertain to the actual period of operation for individual hospitals;
for echelon and other groups, however, averages pertain to the entire year. Consequently, individual
hospital averages as shown do not in all cases add to averages for the groups.
3 Estimated on the basis of summary report data.
4 Indicates no patients and so forth were reported, or that a computed average was smaller than
0.5 or 0.05, as applicable.
5 In 1953, these hospitals were reorganized and redesignated from 200-bed units functioning as
evacuation hospitals (and one specialized hospital) to 60-bed surgical hospitals with missions appropriate
to that type of unit. For convenient reference, the new designations applicable in 1953 are shown in
parentheses.
6 Although group totals have been estimated, such estimates are not feasible, on the basis of
available data, for individual hospitals. See discussion in text.
7 Functioned as an evacuation hospital, January-May 1952, inclusive. In June 1952, this
hospital was placed on a standby training basis, and was reopened in September 1952 as a 60-bed surgical
hospital, operating as such through the remainder of the year.
8 Functioning during the period May-December 1952, inclusive. This unit operated seven holding
stations at points of transfer from ambulance to rail or air transport. This table does not reflect the
unit's holding station operations, however ; patients received at transfer points and held for very brief
periods awaiting further transportation are not accounted for as admissions or otherwise in summary
statistical reports of hospital patients. Data shown pertain to personnel from organizations in the
vicinity of those stations, for which the clearing company provided primary medical care.
9 Functioning during the period April-December 1952, inclusive.
10 Functioning during the period April-December 1952, inclusive. These two units were
designated as the 123d Medical Holding Hospital.
11 Functioning during the period January-May 1952, inclusive.
12 These two units combined operated a single POW hospital at Pusan until the summer of 1952,
when the 3d Field Hospital moved to the island of Cheju-do. However, single monthly reports for the two
hospitals combined were received throughout 1952.
13 Functioning during the period April-Deceraber 1952, inclusive.
14 Functioning during the period August-December 1952, inclusive. The lst Platoon operated a
150-bed hospital, while the 2d and 3d Platoons each operated a 50-bed holding hospital for POW patients
awaiting evacuation to the rear. However, only single monthly reports for the three platoons combined were
received throughout 1952.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
60
Table 55.- Patient flow and other hospitalization data,
U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952, U.S. Army personnel, nonbattle causes
Major echelon of operation, type of hospital function, and specific unit
designation
|
Patient
census,
start
1952
|
Total admissions
|
Average
daily
number
beds
occupied2
|
Average
duration
in
hospital
(days)2
|
Disposition of patients by type
|
Patient
census,
end
1952
|
Total1
|
Initial1
|
Transfer1
|
All dis
positions
|
Duty
|
Death
|
Hospital
transfers
intra-
Korea
|
Evacuation
to Japan
|
Other
dis
positions
|
Field Army area hospitals, total |
582
|
67,438
|
42,284
|
25,154
|
685
|
6.1
|
67,406
|
27,246
|
174
|
33,649
|
6,315
|
22
|
614
|
First level, close support, total |
223
|
29,291
|
29,291
|
(4)
|
144
|
1.9
|
29,425
|
6,540
|
95
|
22,697
|
71
|
22
|
89
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (200-bed),5 total |
223
|
27,690
|
27,690
|
(4)
|
130
|
1.8
|
27,848
|
5,946
|
94
|
21,715
|
71
|
22
|
65
|
8055th MASH (43d Surgical) |
70
|
9,271
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
34
|
1.5
|
9,321
|
1,244
|
22
|
8,054
|
(4)
|
1
|
20
|
8063d MASH (44th Surgical) |
40
|
5,266
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
25
|
1.8
|
5,284
|
1,007
|
28
|
4,178
|
71
|
(4)
|
22
|
8076th MASH (45th Surgical) |
22
|
5,802
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
21
|
1.3
|
5,818
|
1,619
|
18
|
4,167
|
(4)
|
14
|
6
|
8209th MASH (46th Surgical) |
70
|
5,718
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
43
|
2.8
|
5,771
|
1,548
|
21
|
4,195
|
(4)
|
7
|
17
|
8225th MASH (47th Surgical) |
21
|
1,633
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
22
|
2.0
|
1,654
|
528
|
5
|
1,121
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
Surgical hospital (mobile-army) (60-bed), 8225th MASH (47th
Surgical)7 |
(4)
|
248
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
2
|
1.0
|
247
|
22
|
1
|
224
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
1
|
Transfer point, holding stations (60-120 bed), 629th Medical
Clearing Co. (Sep)8 |
(4)
|
1,353
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
18
|
3.0
|
1,330
|
572
|
(4)
|
758
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
23
|
Second level, Army rear, total |
359
|
38,147
|
13,196
|
24,951
|
541
|
6.7
|
37,981
|
20,706
|
79
|
10,952
|
6,244
|
(4)
|
525
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (400-bed), total |
359
|
34,889
|
11,915
|
22,974
|
432
|
4.6
|
34,867
|
18,398
|
50
|
10,363
|
6,056
|
(4)
|
381
|
11th Evacuation Hospital |
184
|
13,296
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
227
|
6.3
|
13,379
|
7,612
|
23
|
3,655
|
2,089
|
(4)
|
101
|
121st Evacuation Hospital |
175
|
21,593
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
205
|
3.6
|
21,488
|
10,786
|
27
|
6,708
|
3,967
|
(4)
|
280
|
Specialized treatment hospitals, total |
(4)
|
3,258
|
1,281
|
1,977
|
109
|
14.9
|
3,114
|
2,308
|
29
|
589
|
188
|
(4)
|
144
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury hospital (200-bed),5
8228th MASH (48th Surgical)9 |
(4)
|
1,625
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
103
|
18.0
|
1,506
|
1,057
|
28
|
421
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
119
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital (300-bed), 123d Medical Holding Co.
and 212th Psychiatric Detachment10 |
(4)
|
1,633
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
42
|
7.4
|
1,608
|
1,251
|
1
|
168
|
188
|
(4)
|
25
|
Communications Zone hospitals, total (less POW) |
891
|
30,716
|
19,760
|
10,956
|
737
|
9.3
|
30,934
|
21,432
|
13
|
1,185
|
8,283
|
21
|
673
|
Station, hospitals (400-bed), total |
674
|
26,858
|
18,852
|
8,006
|
594
|
8.5
|
26,995
|
18,591
|
12
|
546
|
7,826
|
20
|
537
|
21st Evacuation Hospital |
241
|
13,663
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
288
|
8.1
|
13,571
|
9,655
|
6
|
219
|
3,679
|
12
|
333
|
22d Evacuation Hospital11 |
322
|
4,262
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
267
|
9.7
|
4,584
|
3,504
|
2
|
60
|
1,014
|
4
|
(4)
|
25th Evacuation Hospital |
111
|
8,933
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
190
|
8.0
|
8,840
|
5,432
|
4
|
267
|
3,133
|
4
|
204
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital (400-bed), 8211th
Medical Administrative Detachment |
75
|
1,851
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
84
|
17.0
|
1,813
|
1,281
|
1
|
74
|
456
|
1
|
113
|
Korean Service Corps-station hospital (400-bed), 171st
Evacuation Hospital |
142
|
2,007
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
58
|
10.4
|
2,126
|
1,560
|
(4)
|
565
|
1
|
(4)
|
23
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals, total |
3
|
1,785
|
1,785
|
(4)
|
27
|
5.7
|
1,775
|
671
|
3
|
1,098
|
(4)
|
3
|
13
|
3d and 14th Field Hospitals (800-bed combined)12 |
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
64th Field Hospital (400-bed) |
3
|
1,501
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
25
|
6.2
|
1,494
|
460
|
2
|
1,032
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
10
|
514th Medical Clearing Company13 |
(4)
|
279
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
3
|
3.3
|
276
|
210
|
1
|
62
|
(4)
|
3
|
3
|
1st Platoon (100-bed) |
(4)
|
(88)
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(1)
|
2.5
|
(86)
|
(40)
|
(1)
|
(42)
|
((4))
|
(3)
|
(2)
|
2nd Platoon (100-bed) |
(4)
|
(53)
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(1)
|
3.8
|
(53)
|
(52)
|
((4))
|
(1)
|
((4))
|
((4))
|
((4))
|
3d Platoon (100-bed) |
(4)
|
(138)
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(2)
|
3.7
|
(137)
|
(118)
|
((4))
|
(19)
|
((4))
|
((4))
|
(1)
|
543d Medical Clearing Company (200-bed)14 |
(4)
|
5
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(4)
|
3.0
|
5
|
1
|
(4)
|
4
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
(4)
|
61
1 Group totals estimated.
2 As indicated in these notes, some hospitals were not operational throughout the entire
calendar year. Averages in this column pertain to the actual period of operation for individual hospitals;
for echelon and other groups, however, averages pertain to the entire year. Consequently, individual
hospital averages as shown do not in all cases add to averages for the groups.
3 Estimated on the basis of summary report data.
4 Indicates no patients and so forth were reported, or that a computed average was smaller than
0.5 or 0.05, as applicable.
5 In 1953, these hospitals were reorganized and redesignated from 200-bed units functioning as
evacuation hospitals (and one specialized hospital) to 60-bed surgical hospitals with missions appropriate
to that type of unit. For convenient reference, the new designations applicable in 1953 are shown in
parentheses.
6 Although group totals have been estimated, such estimates are not feasible, on the basis of
available data, for individual hospitals. See discussion in text.
7 Functioned as an evacuation hospital, January-May 1952, inclusive. In June 1952, this
hospital was placed on a standby training basis, and was reopened in September 1952 as a 60-bed surgical
hospital, operating as such through the remainder of the year.
8 Functioning during the period May-December 1952, inclusive. This unit operated seven holding
stations at points of transfer from ambulance to rail or air transport. This table does not reflect the
unit's holding station operations, however ; patients received at transfer points and held for very brief
periods awaiting further transportation are not accounted for as admissions or otherwise in summary
statistical reports of hospital patients. Data shown pertain to personnel from organizations in the
vicinity of those stations, for which the clearing company provided primary medical care, and so forth.
9 Functioning during the period April-December 1952, inclusive.
10 Functioning during the period April-December 1952, inclusive. These two units were
designated as the 123d Medical Holding Hospital.
11 Functioning during the period January-May 1952, inclusive.
12 These two units combined operated a single POW hospital at Pusan until the summer of 1952,
when the 3d Field Hospital moved to the island of Cheju-do. However, single monthly reports for the two
hospitals combined were received throughout 1952.
13 Functioning during the period April-Deceraber 1952, inclusive.
14 Functioning during the period August-December 1952, inclusive. The lst Platoon operated a
150-bed hospital, while the 2d and 3d Platoons each operated a 50-bed holding hospital for POW patients
awaiting evacuation to the rear. However, only single monthly reports for the three platoons combined were
received throughout 1952.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
62
Table 56.- Patient flow and other hospitalization data,
U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952, all personnel, battle causes
Major echelon of operation, type of hospital function, and specific unit
designation
|
Patient
census,
start
1952
|
Total admissions
|
Average
daily
number
beds
occupied2
|
Average
duration
in
hospital
(days)3
|
Disposition of patients by type
|
Patient
census,
end
1952
|
Total
|
Initial1
|
Transfer1
|
All dis
positions
|
Duty
|
Death
|
Hospital
transfers
intra-
Korea
|
Evacuation
to Japan
|
Other
dis
positions
|
Field Army area hospitals, total |
145
|
22,838
|
13,704
|
9,134
|
156
|
4.3
|
22,875
|
968
|
456
|
15,098
|
5,627
|
726
|
108
|
First level, close support, total |
72
|
13,205
|
13,204
|
1
|
79
|
2.3
|
13,238
|
424
|
401
|
11,389
|
298
|
726
|
39
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (200-bed),4 total |
72
|
12,546
|
12,546
|
(5)
|
78
|
2.3
|
12,580
|
414
|
398
|
10,745
|
298
|
725
|
38
|
8055th MASH (43d Surgical) |
2
|
4,796
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
22
|
1.8
|
4,784
|
179
|
58
|
4,547
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
14
|
8063d MASH (44th Surgical) |
28
|
3,266
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
19
|
2.2
|
3,288
|
53
|
175
|
2,762
|
298
|
(5)
|
6
|
8076th MASH (45th Surgical) |
11
|
1,206
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
10
|
3.1
|
1,213
|
44
|
47
|
695
|
(5)
|
427
|
4
|
8209th MASH (46th Surgical) |
22
|
2,914
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
24
|
3.1
|
2,922
|
112
|
112
|
2,400
|
(5)
|
298
|
14
|
8225th MASH (47th Surgical) |
9
|
364
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
8
|
3.2
|
373
|
26
|
6
|
341
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Surgical hospital (mobile-army) (60-bed), 8225th MASH (47th
Surgical)7 |
(5)
|
539
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
6
|
1.1
|
538
|
9
|
3
|
526
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
1
|
Transfer point, holding stations (60-120 bed), 629th Medical
Clearing Co. (Sep)8 |
(5)
|
120
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
1
|
0.3
|
120
|
1
|
(5)
|
118
|
(5)
|
1
|
(5)
|
Second level, Army rear, total |
73
|
9,633
|
500
|
9,133
|
77
|
3.0
|
9,637
|
544
|
55
|
3,709
|
5,329
|
(5)
|
69
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (400-bed), total |
73
|
9,633
|
500
|
9,133
|
77
|
3.0
|
9,637
|
544
|
55
|
3,709
|
5,329
|
(5)
|
69
|
11th Evacuation Hospital |
25
|
2,971
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
37
|
4.6
|
2,979
|
315
|
34
|
1,209
|
1,421
|
(5)
|
17
|
121st Evacuation Hospital |
48
|
6,662
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
40
|
2.2
|
6,658
|
229
|
21
|
2,500
|
3,908
|
(5)
|
52
|
Specialized treatment hospitals, total |
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Communications Zone hospitals, total (less POW) |
224
|
6,184
|
716
|
5,468
|
213
|
13.6
|
6,147
|
2,666
|
5
|
183
|
2,819
|
474
|
261
|
Station, hospitals (400-bed), total |
135
|
4,298
|
557
|
3,741
|
84
|
7.8
|
4,389
|
1,742
|
2
|
79
|
2,539
|
27
|
44
|
21st Evacuation Hospital |
65
|
1,627
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
28
|
7.6
|
1,678
|
628
|
(5)
|
36
|
993
|
21
|
14
|
22d Evacuation Hospital9 |
35
|
237
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
21
|
13.3
|
272
|
172
|
1
|
1
|
98
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
25th Evacuation Hospital |
35
|
2,434
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
47
|
7.2
|
2,439
|
942
|
1
|
42
|
1,448
|
6
|
30
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital (400-bed), 8211th
Medical Administrative Detachment |
62
|
1,125
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
61
|
20.0
|
1,138
|
826
|
(5)
|
32
|
280
|
(5)
|
49
|
Korean Service Corps-station hospital (400-bed), 171st
Evacuation Hospital |
27
|
761
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
68
|
36.5
|
620
|
98
|
3
|
72
|
(5)
|
447
|
168
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals, total |
2,854
|
259
|
45
|
214
|
1,367
|
318.8
|
2,923
|
2,378
|
10
|
532
|
(5)
|
3
|
190
|
3d and 14th Field Hospitals (800-bed combined)10 |
2,854
|
259
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
1,367
|
318.8
|
2,923
|
2,378
|
10
|
532
|
(5)
|
3
|
190
|
1 Group totals estimated.
2 As indicated in these notes, some hospitals were not operational throughout the entire
calendar year. Averages in this column pertain to the actual period of operation for individual hospitals;
for echelon and other groups, however, averages pertain to the entire year. Consequently, individual
hospital averages as shown do not in all cases add to averages for the groups.
3 Estimated on the basis of summary report data.
4 In 1953, these hospitals were reorganized and redesignated from 200-bed units functioning as
evacuation hospitals (and one specialized hospital) to 60-bed surgical hospitals with missions appropriate
to that type of unit. For convenient reference, the new designations applicable in 1953 are shown in
parentheses.
5Indicates no patients and so forth were reported, or that a computed average was smaller than
0.5 or 0.05, as applicable.
6 Although group totals have been estimated, such estimates are not feasible, on the basis of
available data, for individual hospitals. See discussion in text.
7 Functioned as an evacuation hospital, January-May 1952, inclusive. In June 1952, this
hospital was placed on a standby training basis, and was reopened in September 1952 as a 60-bed surgical
hospital, operating as such through the remainder of the year.
8 Functioning during the period May-December 1952, inclusive. This unit operated seven holding
stations at points of transfer from ambulance to rail or air transport. This table does not reflect the
unit's holding station operations, however ; patients received at transfer points and held for very brief
periods awaiting further transportation are not accounted for as admissions or otherwise in summary
statistical reports of hospital patients. Data shown pertain to personnel from organizations in the
vicinity of those stations, for which the clearing company provided primary medical care, and so forth.
9 Functioning during the period April-December 1952, inclusive.
10 These two units combined operated a single POW hospital at Pusan until the summer of 1952,
when the 3d Field Hospital moved to the island of Cheju-do. However, single monthly reports for the two
hospitals combined were received throughout 1952.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
63
Table 57.- Patient flow and other hospitalization data,
U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952, all personnel, battle causes
Major echelon of operation, type of hospital function, and specific unit
designation
|
Patient
census,
start
1952
|
Total admissions
|
Average
daily
number
beds
occupied2
|
Average
duration
in
hospital
(days)3
|
Disposition of patients by type
|
Patient
census,
end
1952
|
Total
|
Initial1
|
Transfer1
|
All
dispositions
|
Duty
|
Death
|
Hospital
transfers
intra-
Korea
|
Evacuation
to Japan
|
Other
dispositions
|
Field Army area hospitals, total |
99
|
16,629
|
9,529
|
7,100
|
101
|
4.0
|
16,686
|
786
|
197
|
11,287
|
4,412
|
4
|
42
|
First level, close support, total |
49
|
9,465
|
9,464
|
1
|
47
|
1.9
|
9,496
|
335
|
169
|
8,769
|
219
|
4
|
18
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (200-bed),4 total |
49
|
8,998
|
8,998
|
(5)
|
46
|
1.9
|
9,019
|
326
|
166
|
8,304
|
219
|
4
|
18
|
8055th MASH (43d Surgical) |
1
|
3,578
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
14
|
1.7
|
3,570
|
143
|
38
|
3,389
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
9
|
8063d MASH (44th Surgical) |
18
|
2,251
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
12
|
2.0
|
2,268
|
45
|
69
|
1,935
|
219
|
(5)
|
1
|
8076th MASH (45th Surgical) |
9
|
577
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
3
|
1.9
|
586
|
33
|
5
|
547
|
(5)
|
1
|
(5)
|
8209th MASH (46th Surgical) |
16
|
2,296
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
14
|
2.3
|
2,304
|
83
|
51
|
2,167
|
(5)
|
3
|
8
|
8225th MASH (47th Surgical) |
5
|
286
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
5
|
2.5
|
291
|
22
|
3
|
266
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Surgical hospital (mobile-army) (60-bed), 8225th MASH (47th
Surgical)7 |
(5)
|
399
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
5
|
1.2
|
399
|
8
|
3
|
388
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Transfer point, holding stations (60-120 bed), 629th Medical
Clearing Co. (Sep)8 |
(5)
|
78
|
(6)
|
(6)
|
(5)
|
0.2
|
78
|
1
|
(5)
|
77
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Second level, Army rear, total |
50
|
7,164
|
65
|
7,099
|
54
|
2.8
|
7,190
|
451
|
28
|
2,518
|
4,193
|
(5)
|
24
|
Evacuation hospitals (semimobile) (400-bed), total |
50
|
7,164
|
65
|
7,099
|
54
|
2.8
|
7,190
|
451
|
28
|
2,518
|
4,193
|
(5)
|
24
|
11th Evacuation Hospital |
21
|
2,705
|
(6)
|
2,705
|
32
|
4.4
|
2,713
|
297
|
19
|
1,059
|
1,338
|
(5)
|
13
|
121st Evacuation Hospital |
29
|
4,459
|
65
|
4,394
|
22
|
1.8
|
4,477
|
154
|
9
|
1,459
|
2,855
|
(5)
|
11
|
Specialized treatment hospitals, total |
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Communications Zone hospitals, total (less POW) |
199
|
5,160
|
519
|
4,641
|
136
|
10.3
|
5,277
|
2,479
|
1
|
135
|
2,660
|
2
|
82
|
Station, hospitals (400-bed), total |
119
|
4,031
|
510
|
3,521
|
77
|
7.5
|
4,112
|
1,654
|
1
|
56
|
2,399
|
2
|
38
|
21st Evacuation Hospital |
55
|
1,479
|
198
|
1,281
|
24
|
6.9
|
1,525
|
581
|
(5)
|
26
|
918
|
(5)
|
9
|
22d Evacuation Hospital9 |
31
|
230
|
5
|
225
|
20
|
13.1
|
261
|
166
|
(5)
|
1
|
94
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
25th Evacuation Hospital |
33
|
2,322
|
307
|
2,015
|
45
|
7.2
|
2,326
|
907
|
1
|
29
|
1,387
|
2
|
29
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital (400-bed), 8211th
Medical Administrative Detachment |
55
|
1,004
|
2
|
1,002
|
54
|
19.8
|
1,015
|
727
|
(5)
|
27
|
261
|
(5)
|
44
|
Korean Service Corps-station hospital (400-bed), 171st
Evacuation Hospital |
25
|
125
|
7
|
118
|
6
|
16.2
|
150
|
98
|
(5)
|
52
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals, total |
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
1 Group totals estimated.
2 As indicated in these notes, some hospitals were not operational throughout the entire
calendar year. Averages in this column pertain to the actual period of operation for individual hospitals;
for echelon and other groups, however, averages pertain to the entire year. Consequently, individual
hospital averages as shown do not in all cases add to averages for the groups.
3 Estimated on the basis of summary report data.
4 In 1953, these hospitals were reorganized and redesignated from 200-bed units functioning as
evacuation hospitals (and one specialized hospital) to 60-bed surgical hospitals with missions appropriate
to that type of unit. For convenient reference, the new designations applicable in 1953 are shown in
parentheses.
5Indicates no patients and so forth were reported, or that a computed average was smaller than
0.5 or 0.05, as applicable.
6 Although group totals have been estimated, such estimates are not feasible, on the basis of
available data, for individual hospitals. See discussion in text.
7 Functioned as an evacuation hospital, January-May 1952, inclusive. In June 1952, this
hospital was placed on a standby training basis, and was reopened in September 1952 as a 60-bed surgical
hospital, operating as such through the remainder of the year.
8 Functioning during the period May-December 1952, inclusive. This unit operated seven holding
stations at points of transfer from ambulance to rail or air transport. This table does not reflect the
unit's holding station operations, however ; patients received at transfer points and held for very brief
periods awaiting further transportation are not accounted for as admissions or otherwise in summary
statistical reports of hospital patients. Data shown pertain to personnel from organizations in the
vicinity of those stations, for which the clearing company provided primary medical care, and so forth.
9 Functioning during the period April-December 1952, inclusive.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
64
surgical hospital and, in October 1952, was placed in support of a U.S. Army infantry division near the
Punchbowl area.
From these hospitals, patients were transported by ambulance to the air bases and railheads (where
holding stations were operated by a separate medical clearing company) for air or rail evacuation to two
400-bed semimobile evacuation hospitals. The latter two hospitals were authorized to determine the next
destination of patients requiring evacuation to southern Korea and to Japan. They were, too far to the rear
to furnish close support or to function as evacuation hospitals in the strictest sense; therefore, to
distinguish them from the close-support evacuation hospitals (semimobile, 200 bed), the term "second
level-Army rear" has been coined.
From tables 54-57, it may be seen that all admissions at the close-support 200-bed evacuation hospitals
and at the surgical hospital were initial admissions, while about three-quarters of all dispositions were
transfers to other hospitals in Korea. These, units operated in, immediate support of the frontline troops
and, therefore, received their patients either directly or from aid stations and clearing companies. On the
other hand, the second-level 400-bed evacuation hospitals received almost all (90 percent) of their patients
by transfer from the frontline hospitals. About one-half of the dispositions at second-level 400-bed
evacuation hospitals were returns to duty, about one-fourth were evacuations to Japan, and one-fourth were
transfers to communications zone hospitals in Korea.
Tables 54-57 also include data for two specialized treatment hospitals which were part of the
field army area hospitalization system in Korea. The specialized treatment center for epidemic hemorrhagic
fever was established in April 1952, and operated by a unit with table-of-organization-and-equipment
designations as a mobile army surgical hospital. During the winter of 1952-53, this hospital also functioned
as the Eighth U.S. Army Cold Injury Treatment Center. A neuropsychiatric hospital was also established in
April 1952 to treat and rehabilitate all neuropsychiatric cases for U.S. and U.N. Forces in Korea. This
hospital was operated by a medical holding company combined with a psychiatric detachment.
COMMUNICATIONS ZONE HOSPITALS
Tables 54-57 also identify the U.S. Army units and present the patient flow and other hospitalization
data for U.S. Army hospitals in the communications zone. (As used here, the term " communications zone "
refers to location and function rather than to organizational affiliation. The Korean Communications Zone
per se did not become operational until August 1952, at which time it assumed control of the existing
hospitals operating in the rear areas.) The rear-area hospitals in Korea during 1952 consisted of four
400-bed evacuation hospitals, which functioned as station hospitals and also provided care for patients
evacuated from forward medical treatment facilities. One of these (22d Evacuation Hospital) became
inoperational in June 1952. Another (171st Evacuation, Hospital) provided hospital support to the Korean
Service Corps (labor) personnel. In addition, there was an Army unit which operated with the Swedish Red
Cross Hospital.
The communications zone hospitals received about one-half of their nonbattle admissions as initial
admissions and one-half as admissions by transfer from other hospitals. Almost all of the battle admissions
were by transfer. Most of the dispositions at the communications zone hospitals were returns to duty.
Evacuations to Japan made up about one-fourth of their dispositions.
PRISONER-OF-WAR HOSPITALS
Detailed information for enemy POW hospitals operated by U.S. Army units in Korea during 1952 are also
included in tables 54-57. Three field hospitals and two medical clearing companies operated a total of nine
POW hospitals. The 3d Field hospital and the 14th Field hospital operated a combined POW hospital at Pusan
until the summer of 1952, when the 3d Field hospital moved to the island of Cheju-do. However, only a
consolidated monthly Beds and Patients Report for both hospitals combined was received throughout 1952.
Therefore, the data are presented as for one hospital, rather than for each of the two hospitals. The 64th
Field hospital was the third U.S. Army unit of this type. The remaining six POW hospitals were operated by
the three platoons of each of two separate medical clearing companies. While, reports were received from
each of the three platoons of one of these units, the 514th Medical Clearing Company, only a consolidated
report was furnished by the 543d Medical Clearing, Company. For the latter, the combined data are presented
as for one hospital rather than
65
for each of the three hospitals which the company actually operated.
CATEGORY OF PERSONNEL
As a presentation of admission workload, table 58 deals with total hospital admissions; that is, initial
admissions and admissions by transfer combined.
Approximately 81 percent (84,067) of the 103,544 admissions (including transfer admissions) to U.S. Army
field army area hospitals in Korea during 1952 were Army personnel (table 58). Other U.S. active-duty
military personnel accounted for 2,119 admissions (2 percent), while the remaining 17 percent was comprised
of 10,823 allied, and neutral military personnel, 456 prisoners of war, and 6,079 "others" (chiefly Korean
civilians, but also American National Red Cross personnel, correspondents, and others). The distribution was
similar for the 45,472 admissions at the communications zone hospitals, where U.S. Army personnel were
responsible for 79 percent of all admissions, other active-duty U.S. military personnel for 4 percent, and
other personnel for 17 percent. At the Korean Service Corps station hospital, "other" patients (mainly
Korean Service Corps personnel) made up 63 percent of the admissions; and at the POW hospitals, prisoners of
war made up 83 percent of the admissions. The percentages of U.S. Army personnel in the total admitted to
the latter two types of hospitals were 35 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
CAUSE OF ADMISSION
As did the preceding table, table 59 deals with total hospital admissions, presenting initial and
transfer admissions according to cause groups for all patients and for U.S. Army patients. For the Korean
area as a whole, the distribution by cause group of initial admissions alone is also of interest. During the
year 1952, there were 128,339 initial admissions of all personnel to Army hospitals in this area: 14,465 of
battle casualty patients (11 percent of all initial admissions) and 113,874 for nonbattle causes. Initial
admissions of U.S. Army personnel for all causes numbered 73,877, of which 10,048 (14 percent) were battle
casualty patients and 63,829 were patients admitted for nonbattle causes. Army patients made up 59 percent
of those initially admitted for all causes; 69 percent of the initial admissions of battle casualties were
Army patients, while initial admissions of Army nonbattle patients represented 56 percent of all patients
initially admitted for nonbattle causes.
As seen in table 59, there were 103,544 total admissions (including transfer admissions) of all personnel
at field army area hospitals, of which 80,706 (78 percent) were for nonbattle causes (disease and nonbattle
injury combined) while 22,838 (22 percent) were for battle causes. U.S. Army personnel accounted for 84
percent of all the nonbattle admissions and 73 percent of all the battle admissions at field army area
hospitals. Of the total 84,067 admissions to field army area hos-
Table 58.- Admissions1 to hospital for all causes, by category of
personnel and
by type of hospital within major operational echelon, U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952
Major echelon of operation
and type of hospital function |
Total
hospital
admissions |
Active-duty military personnel |
Other personnel |
Army |
Navy |
Marine
Corps |
Air
Force |
Allied and
neutral
military
personnel |
POW |
Other |
Field Army area hospitals |
103,544
|
84,067
|
63
|
673
|
1,383
|
10,823
|
456
|
6,079
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
46,703
|
36,678
|
7
|
132
|
101
|
5,940
|
196
|
3,649
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
888
|
647
|
--
|
1
|
--
|
152
|
--
|
88
|
Holding hospitals |
1,603
|
1,431
|
--
|
1
|
1
|
108
|
2
|
60
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
50,284
|
42,053
|
47
|
354
|
1,163
|
4,319
|
258
|
2,090
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury hospital |
2,237
|
1,625
|
9
|
183
|
6
|
223
|
--
|
191
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
1,829
|
1,633
|
--
|
2
|
112
|
81
|
--
|
1
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
45,472
|
35,876
|
41
|
112
|
1,462
|
2,039
|
60
|
5,882
|
Station hospitals |
34,505
|
30,889
|
40
|
108
|
1,386
|
1,296
|
6
|
780
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
4,830
|
2,855
|
--
|
1
|
31
|
684
|
--
|
1,259
|
Korean Service Corps station hospital |
6,137
|
2,132
|
1
|
3
|
45
|
59
|
54
|
3,843
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
42,524
|
1,785
|
3
|
--
|
--
|
101
|
35,271
|
5,364
|
1Admissions shown in this table represent not just initial admissions, but the sum of
initial and transfer admissions; thus, a particular patient may be reported at several echelons, and the
total shown will be greater than the number of initial admissions to hospital.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
66
Table 59.- Admissions1 to hospital, by cause of admission and by
type of hospital within major operational echelon, U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952
Major echelon of operation
and type of hospital function |
All personnel |
U.S. Army personnel |
All causes |
Nonbattle |
Battle |
All causes |
Nonbattle |
Battle |
Number |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Field Army area hospitals |
103,544
|
80,706
|
77.9
|
22,838
|
22.1
|
84,067
|
67,438
|
80.2
|
16,629
|
19.8
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
46,703
|
34,157
|
73.1
|
12,546
|
26.9
|
36,678
|
27,690
|
75.5
|
8,988
|
24.5
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
888
|
349
|
39.3
|
539
|
60.7
|
647
|
248
|
38.3
|
399
|
61.7
|
Holding hospitals |
1,603
|
1,483
|
92.5
|
120
|
7.5
|
1,431
|
1,353
|
94.5
|
78
|
5.5
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
50,284
|
40,651
|
80.8
|
9,633
|
19.2
|
42,053
|
34,889
|
83.0
|
7,164
|
17.0
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury hospital |
2,237
|
2,237
|
100.0
|
--
|
--
|
1,625
|
1,625
|
100.0
|
--
|
--
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
1,829
|
1,829
|
100.0
|
--
|
--
|
1,633
|
1,633
|
100.0
|
--
|
--
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
45,472
|
39,288
|
86.4
|
6,184
|
13.6
|
35,876
|
30,716
|
85.6
|
5,160
|
14.4
|
Station hospitals |
34,505
|
30,207
|
87.5
|
4,298
|
12.5
|
30,889
|
26,858
|
87.0
|
4,031
|
13.0
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
4,830
|
3,705
|
76.7
|
1,125
|
23.3
|
2,855
|
1,851
|
64.8
|
1,004
|
35.2
|
Korean Service Corps station hospital |
6,137
|
5,376
|
87.6
|
761
|
12.4
|
2,132
|
2,007
|
94.1
|
125
|
5.9
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
42,524
|
42,265
|
99.4
|
259
|
0.6
|
1,785
|
1,785
|
100.0
|
--
|
--
|
1Admissions shown in this table represent not just initial admissions, but the sum of
initial and transfer admissions; thus, a particular patient may be reported at several echelons, and the
total shown will be greater than the number of initial admissions to hospital.
Table 60.- Dispositions from hospital, by type of hospital within major
operational echelon, for selected types of dispositions, U.S. Army hospitals, Kprea, 1952
Major echelon of Operation
and type of hospital function
|
Total dispositions
|
Duty
|
Death
|
Hospital transfers
|
Evacuation
|
Other1
|
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
All Personnel |
All U.S. Army hospitals, Korea |
194,065
|
100.0
|
94, 509
|
100.0
|
1,853
|
100.0
|
64,942
|
100.0
|
25,638
|
100.0
|
7,123
|
100.0
|
Field Army area hospitals |
103,493
|
53.3
|
32,113
|
34.0
|
828
|
44.7
|
55,453
|
85.4
|
13,447
|
52.4
|
1,652
|
23.2
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
46,915
|
24.2
|
7,929
|
8.4
|
610
|
32.9
|
36,392
|
56.0
|
387
|
1.5
|
1,597
|
22.4
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
883
|
0.5
|
38
|
(2)
|
5
|
0.3
|
840
|
1.3
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Holding hospitals |
1,577
|
0.8
|
630
|
0.7
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
930
|
1.4
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
17
|
0.3
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
50,228
|
25.8
|
20,756
|
22.0
|
162
|
8.7
|
16,464
|
25.4
|
12,846
|
50.1
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury |
2,091
|
1.1
|
1,386
|
1.5
|
50
|
2.7
|
618
|
1.0
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
37
|
0.5
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
1,799
|
0.9
|
1,374
|
1.4
|
1
|
0.1
|
209
|
0.3
|
214
|
0.8
|
1
|
0.0
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
45,158
|
23.3
|
26,239
|
27.7
|
139
|
7.5
|
1,989
|
3.1
|
12,191
|
47.6
|
4,600
|
64.6
|
Station hospitals |
34,740
|
18.0
|
21,968
|
23.2
|
34
|
1.8
|
745
|
1.2
|
11,345
|
44.3
|
648
|
9.1
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
4,742
|
2.4
|
2,577
|
2.7
|
80
|
4.3
|
127
|
0.2
|
845
|
3.3
|
1,113
|
15.6
|
Korean Service Corps hospital |
5,676
|
2.9
|
1,694
|
1.8
|
25
|
1.4
|
1,117
|
1.7
|
1
|
(2)
|
2,839
|
39.9
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
45,414
|
23.4
|
36,157
|
38.3
|
886
|
47.8
|
7,500
|
11.5
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
871
|
12.2
|
U.S. Army personnel |
All U.S. Army hospitals, Korea |
122,078
|
100.0
|
52,614
|
100.0
|
388
|
100.0
|
47,354
|
100.0
|
21,670
|
100.0
|
52
|
100.0
|
Field Army area hospitals |
84,092
|
68.8
|
28,032
|
53.3
|
371
|
95.6
|
44,936
|
94.6
|
10,727
|
49.5
|
26
|
50.0
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
36,867
|
30.2
|
6,272
|
11.9
|
260
|
67.0
|
30,019
|
63.4
|
290
|
1.3
|
26
|
50.0
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
646
|
0.5
|
30
|
0.1
|
4
|
1.0
|
612
|
1.3
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Holding hospitals |
1,408
|
1.2
|
573
|
1.1
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
835
|
1.8
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
42,057
|
34.4
|
18,849
|
35.8
|
78
|
20.1
|
12,881
|
27.2
|
10,249
|
47.3
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury |
1,506
|
1.2
|
1,057
|
2.0
|
28
|
7.2
|
421
|
0.9
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
1,608
|
1.3
|
1,251
|
2.4
|
1
|
0.3
|
168
|
0.3
|
188
|
0.9
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
36,211
|
29.7
|
23,911
|
45.5
|
14
|
3.6
|
1,320
|
2.8
|
10,943
|
50.5
|
23
|
44.2
|
Station hospitals |
31,107
|
25.5
|
20,245
|
38.5
|
13
|
3.3
|
602
|
1.3
|
10,225
|
47.2
|
22
|
42.3
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
2,828
|
2.3
|
2, 008
|
3.8
|
1
|
0.3
|
101
|
0.2
|
717
|
3.3 |
1
|
1.9
|
Korean Service Corps hospital |
2,276
|
1.9
|
1, 658
|
3.2
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
617
|
1.3
|
1
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
1,775
|
1.5
|
671
|
1.2
|
3
|
0.8
|
1,098
|
2.3
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
3
|
5.8
|
1 Includes transfers to quarters and patients listed as AWOL.
2 Indicates that no dispositions were reported, or that a computed percentage was less than
0.05.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
67
Table 61.- Percentage distribution of dispositions from hospital,
by type of disposition, for selected groupings of U.S. Army hospitals, Korea, 1952
Major echelon of Operation
and type of hospital function |
All personnel |
U.S. Army personnel |
Total
dispositions |
Duty |
Death |
Hospital
transfers
intra-
Korea |
Evacuation
to Japan |
Other1 |
Total
dispositions |
Duty |
Death |
Hospital
transfers
intra-
Korea |
Evacuation
to Japan |
Other1 |
Field Army area hospitals |
100.0
|
31.0
|
0.8
|
53.6
|
13.0
|
1.6
|
100.0
|
33.3
|
0.4
|
53.4
|
12.8 |
(2)
|
First level, close support |
100.0
|
17.4
|
1.2
|
77.3
|
0.8
|
3.3
|
100.0
|
17.7
|
0.7
|
80.8
|
0.7
|
0.1
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
100.0
|
16.9
|
1.3
|
77.6
|
0.8
|
3.4
|
100.0
|
17.0
|
0.7
|
81.4
|
0.8
|
0.1
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
100.0
|
4.3
|
0.6
|
95.1
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
100.0
|
4.6
|
0.6
|
94.7
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Holding hospitals |
100.0
|
39.9
|
(2)
|
59.0
|
(2)
|
1.1
|
100.0
|
40.7
|
(2)
|
59.3
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Second level, Army rear |
100.0
|
43.5
|
0.4
|
32.0
|
24.1
|
0.1
|
100.0
|
46.8
|
0.2
|
29.8
|
23.1
|
(2)
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
100.0
|
41.3
|
0.3
|
32.8
|
25.6
|
(2)
|
100.0
|
44.8
|
0.2
|
30.6
|
24.4
|
(2)
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury |
100.0
|
66.3
|
2.4
|
29.6
|
(2)
|
1.8
|
100.0
|
70.2
|
1.9
|
28.0
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
100.0
|
76.4
|
0.1
|
11.6
|
11.9
|
0.1
|
100.0
|
77.8
|
0.1
|
10.4
|
11.7
|
(2)
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
100.0
|
58.1
|
0.3
|
4.4
|
27.0
|
10.2
|
100.0
|
66.0
|
(2)
|
3.6
|
30.2
|
0.1
|
Station hospitals |
100.0
|
63.2
|
0.1
|
2.1
|
32.7
|
1.9
|
100.0
|
65.1
|
(2)
|
1.9
|
32.9
|
0.1
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
100.0
|
54.3
|
1.7
|
2.7
|
17.8
|
23.5
|
100.0
|
71.1
|
(2)
|
3.6
|
5.4
|
(2)
|
Korean Service Corps hospital |
100.0
|
29.8
|
0.4
|
19.7
|
(2)
|
50.0
|
100.0
|
72.8
|
(2)
|
27.1
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
100.0
|
79.6
|
2.0
|
16.5
|
(2)
|
1.9
|
100.0
|
37.8
|
0.2
|
61.9
|
(2)
|
0.2
|
1 Includes transfers to quarters and patients listed as AWOL.
2 Indicates that a computed percentage was less than 0.05.
Source: Beds and Patients Report (DD Form 443).
pitals for U.S. Army personnel, 67,438 (80 percent) were nonbattle and 16,629 (20 percent) were battle
admissions. At communications zone hospitals, 86 percent of the total admissions for all personnel were for
nonbattle causes, while 14 percent were battle admissions. For most of the groups which have been combined
by type of hospital function, nonbattle causes accounted for the great majority of the admissions. The
exception was the lone surgical hospital (mobile army), where battle admissions represented 61 percent of
the total, compared with only 39 percent for nonbattle admissions. For the other groups, the percentage
which nonbattle admissions constituted of all admissions for all personnel ranged from 73 percent for
evacuation hospitals (semimobile, 200 bed) to 100 percent for the two specialized treatment hospitals.
TYPE OF DISPOSITION
Tables 60 and 61 show that 194,065 dispositions (including dispositions by transfer) of all personnel
(including enemy POW patients) were accomplished by U.S. Army hospitals in Korea during 1952. Of these
dispositions, 64,942 were transfers between hospitals within Korea and 25,638 were patients evacuated to
Japan. There were 94,509 patients returned to duty, 1,853 deaths, and 7,123 other dispositions (mainly
transfers to quarters and patients listed as absent without leave).
Table 60 indicates, as might be expected, that 85 percent of all intra-Korea transfers of patients
involved the rearward movement of patients from hospitals in the field army area, while only 3 percent were
transfers between hospitals of the communications zone; the balance (12 percent) represents transfers from
POW hospitals. Prisoner-of-war patients transferred between POW hospitals represented 10 percent of the
intra-Korea, transfers, and 2 percent were U.S. military Personnel transferred from POW hospitals to other
U.S. hospitals in Korea.
Of the total number of patients evacuated to Japan, about 52 percent came from field army hospitals
(almost all from the second-level evacuation hospitals, semimobile, 400 bed), while 48 percent came from
communications zone hospitals (largely from the station hospitals). No POW patients were evacuated to Japan.
At field army area hospitals occurred 34 percent of all the returns to duty and 45 percent of all deaths.
Most of the deaths were reported by the close-support evacuation hospitals (semimobile, 200 bed), while most
of the returns to duty from field army area hospitals came from the Army rear area, evacuation hospitals (semimobile,
400 bed). Among
68
all personnel in U.S. Army hospitals in Korea during 1952, 48 percent of all deaths occurred at the POW
hospitals. However, the inclusion of enemy POW patients fit the figures for all personnel tends to distort
the hospital pattern by echelon of operation. For example, when the 122,078 dispositions of U.S. Army
patients are considered separately, it may be seen that 95 percent of all of the intra-Korea transfers of
U.S. Army patients originated at field army hospitals. The pattern of patients evacuated to Japan is
consistent, however, since no enemy POW patients were included.
The percentage distributions in table 61 show the relative frequency of each type of disposition among
all, dispositions from the several hospital-function groups. These proportions follow the patterns that
might be expected: The proportion of dispositions which were "final" is lowest for hospitals closer to the
front, and, correspondingly, the relative number of transfers is higher at the direct-support hospitals and
lower at the rearward hospitals. For example, hospitals in close support at the first level returned 17.7
percent of Army patients to duty and transferred 80.8 percent to other hospitals in Korea. At the second
level, in the field army rear, 46.8 percent of the Army patients went to duty; and 52.9 percent were moved
to other hospitals for further treatment, with 23.1 percent of all dispositions being evacuated to Japan and
29.8 percent being transferred to communications zone hospitals in Korea. At the latter hospitals,
two-thirds (66 percent) of the Army patients were returned to duty.
HOSPITAL DEATH RATIOS
In connection with data on hospital deaths in tables 60 and 61, it is important to emphasize that they do
not provide a basis for qualitative consideration of the hospital care provided. Any such consideration
would require analysis of a large volume of data (such as data on diagnoses, and data on time-lapse between
injury and admission) which are not directly related to the purposes of these data and should, in any event,
be based on ratios adjusted to take into account the varying proportion of "final" to total dispositions.
The battle casualty "case fatality rate" (2.5 percent) for Korea, which has been reported elsewhere in
comparisons with those for earlier wars, is derived from relating the total number who died of wounds,
whether in hospital or in another type of medical treatment facility, to the total number who were excused
from duty as wounded in action. Since these data pertain only to hospitalized patients, case fatality ratios
of the same type, cannot be derived from them.
AVERAGE PATIENT CENSUS AND AVERAGE DURATION OF HOSPITALIZATION
As may be seen in table 62, the average daily number of beds occupied by all classes of personnel at U.S.
Army hospitals in Korea, during 1952, was 10,141 and the estimated average duration of hospitalization was
33 days per case.
Table 62 shows that field army hospitals had an average bed occupancy of 1,001 patients, compared with
1,375 for the communications zone hospitals. The average bed occupancy of 7,765 patients at POW hospitals
represented approximately 76 percent of the total number of patients occupying beds on the average day
during 1952 in, Korea. The estimated average duration of hospitalization per case was 6.7 days for all
personnel at field army hospitals, 11.9 days at communications zone hospitals, and 76.8 days at POW
hospitals.
The large numbers of POW patients apparently exerted an overwhelming influence on the overall averages
and, therefore, have tended to distort the pattern of hospital load in terms of echelon of operation. This
effect may be seen when data for U.S. Army personnel are considered separately (table 62). The average of
1,683 U.S. Army patients was distributed as 782 in field army hospitals, 873 in communications zone
hospitals, and the balance (27) in POW hospitals. The overall average duration of hospitalization for U.S.
Army patients in Korea during 1952 was 10.7 days per case; an average of 6.8 days was spent in field army
hospitals, and 9.5 days were spent in communications zone hospitals for each case hospitalized in them
during 1952. It is of interest to note that the close-support evacuation hospitals (semimobile, 200 bed)
show an average duration of about 2 days per case regardless of class of patients (those admitted for battle
causes or those admitted for nonbattle causes), while the second-level evacuation hospitals (semimobile, 400
bed) show an average duration of stay of approximately 3 days for battle patients, compared with about 5
days for nonbattle patients. The daily average beds occupied figures of 103 for U.S. Army personnel at the
hemorrhagic and cold injury hospital and of 43 at the neuropsychiatric hospital compared to the daily
average of 133 and
69
Table 62.- Average bed occupancy and average duration of hospitalization,
by cause of admission and by type of hospital within major operational echelon, U.S. Army hospitals, Korea,
1952
Major echelon of Operation
and type of hospital function
|
Daily average number of beds occupied
|
Average duration in hospital (days)1
|
All causes
|
Nonbattle
|
Battle
|
All causes
|
Nonbattle
|
Battle
|
All Personnel |
All U.S. Army hospitals, Korea |
10,141
|
8,405
|
1,736
|
33.0
|
31.8
|
41.0
|
Field Army area hospitals |
1,001
|
845
|
156
|
6.7
|
7.6
|
4.3
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
270
|
192
|
78
|
2.2
|
2.1
|
2.3
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
10
|
4
|
6
|
1.2
|
1.3
|
1.1
|
Holding hospitals |
20
|
19
|
1
|
2.8
|
3.0
|
0.3
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
582
|
505
|
77
|
4.3
|
4.6
|
3.0
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury |
133
|
133
|
(2)
|
16.8
|
16.8
|
(2)
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
48
|
48
|
(2)
|
7.4
|
7.4
|
(2)
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
1,375
|
1,162
|
213
|
11.9
|
11.6
|
13.6
|
Station hospitals |
758
|
674
|
84
|
8.5
|
8.5
|
7.8
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
269
|
208
|
61
|
20.9
|
21.1
|
20.0
|
Korean Service Corps hospital |
348
|
280
|
68
|
21.9
|
19.9
|
36.5
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
7,765
|
6,398
|
1,367
|
76.8
|
65.2
|
318.8
|
U.S. Army personnel |
All U.S. Army hospitals, Korea |
1,683
|
1,445
|
238
|
10.7
|
11.1
|
8.9
|
Field Army area hospitals |
782
|
681
|
101
|
6.8
|
7.6
|
4.0
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (200-bed) |
176
|
130
|
46
|
1.8
|
1.8
|
1.9
|
Surgical (mobile-army) |
7
|
2
|
5
|
1.1
|
1.0
|
1.2
|
Holding hospitals |
18
|
18
|
(2)
|
2.8
|
3.0
|
0.2
|
Evacuation (semimobile) (400-bed) |
486
|
432
|
54
|
4.3
|
4.6
|
2.8
|
Hemorrhagic fever and cold injury |
103
|
103
|
(2)
|
18.0
|
18.0
|
(2)
|
Neuropsychiatric hospital |
42
|
42
|
(2)
|
7.4
|
7.4
|
(2)
|
Communications Zone hospitals |
873
|
737
|
136
|
9.5
|
9.3
|
10.3
|
Station hospitals |
671
|
594
|
77
|
8.4
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
Army unit with Swedish Red Cross hospital |
138
|
84
|
54
|
18.0
|
17.0
|
19.8
|
Korean Service Corps hospital |
64
|
58
|
6
|
10.8
|
10.4
|
16.2
|
Prisoner-of-war hospitals |
27
|
27
|
(2)
|
5.7
|
5.7
|
(2)
|
1 For patients remaining in U.S. Army hospitals in Korea at the end of 1952 and those
evacuated to Japan, the average include only the time lost in U.S. Army hospitals in Korea during 1952.
2 Indicates that no admission, days, and so forth were reported, or that a computed average was
less than 0.5 for number of beds occupied and less than 0.05 for days in hospital.
48, respectively, for all personnel hospitalized at these two specialized treatment centers. The average
duration of stay per case during 1952 for U.S. Army personnel was approximately 18 days at the former and 7
days at the latter hospital. U.S. Army patients in communications zone hospitals averaged 10.3 days per case
for battle patients, compared with 9.3 days per case for nonbattle patients. U.S. Army personnel
hospitalized at the Swedish Red Cross hospital in 1952 averaged 1.8 days per case, and U.S. Army patients
hospitalized at the Korean Service Corps station hospital averaged about 1.1 days per case.
It might be noted, however, that these tables do not include data on the relatively small number of Army
patients hospitalized by U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy medical treatment facilities. In Korea, during 1952,
there were 512 Army patients admitted (of which 490 were initial admissions) to Air Force organizations
operating hospital beds, with a daily average bed occupancy of eight Army patients. Also, 1,970 Army
patients were admitted (including 899 initial admissions) to U.S. Navy hospital ships, with a daily average
of 75 beds occupied by such Army patients during 1952. Neither do these tables include data on the
relatively small numbers of U.S. Army patients hospitalized in allied military medical treatment facilities.
With one exception, such patients were accounted for in Beds and Patients Reports from Army hospitals
designated by appropriate headquarters as administratively responsible for Army patients in specified
"nearby" allied facilities. At the Swedish Red Cross Hospital, the exception, Beds and Patients Reports on
Army patients were submitted by an Army medical organization serving with that particular hospital.
Estimates for logistical guidance, however, may be obtained from measurement of the patient flow and the
patient load at individual facilities, by type of hospital, at different echelons of operation, and for the
several classes of patients reflected in these data. |