Question

Describe the Shouldice hospital's innovation within its industry?

Answer 1

The Shouldice hospital's innovation begun during World War II, Dr.Edward Earle Shouldice, a major in the Canadian army, found that many young men willing to serve their country had to be denied enlistment because they needed surgical treatment to repair hernias before they could be pronounced physically fit for military training. In 1940, hospitalspace and doctors were scarce, especially for a non- emergency surgery that normally took three weeks of hospitalization. So, Dr. Shouldice resolved to do what he could to alleviate the problem. Contributing his services at no fee, he performed an innovative method of surgery on 70 of those men, speeding their induction into the army. The recruits made their successstories known, and by the war’s end, more than 200 civilians had contacted the doctor and were awaiting surgery. The limited availability of hospitals beds, however, created a major problem. There was only one solution: Dr. Shouldice decided to open his own hospital. In July 1945,Shouldice Hospital, with a staff consisting of a nurse, a secretary, and a cook, opened its doors toits waiting patients. In a single operating room, Dr. Shouldice repaired two hernias per day. As requests for this surgery increased, Dr. Shouldice extended the facilities, located on ChurchStreet in Toronto, by eventually buying three adjacent buildings and increasing the staff accordingly. In 1953, he purchased a country estate in Thornhill, where a second hospital was established. Today all surgery takes place in Thornhill. Repeated development has culminated inthe present 90-bed facility. Shouldice Hospital has been dedicated to the repair of hernias for over 55 years, using the “Shouldice Technique.” The “formula,” although not a secret, extends beyond the skill of surgeons and their ability to perform to the Shouldice standard. Shouldice Hospital is a total environment.