Barlow Respiratory Hospital
Encyclopedia
The Barlow Respiratory Hospital is a hospital
located in Echo Park
in Los Angeles
, California
near Dodger Stadium
.
Originally a tuberculosis sanatorium, Barlow Respiratory Hospital is a long-term acute care facility in Los Angeles that specializes in respiratory diseases and also treats related secondary ailments. The hospital treats approximately 750 patients a year and sets the national benchmark in ventilator weaning at nearly 50%.
. Though he was born and raised in New York, he was forced to move West in search of a dry and sunny climate after contracting tuberculosis
in 1895. The sanatorium was founded on 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) of meadowland next to the city-owned Elysian Park on Chavez Ravine Road. The location seemed ideal because the surrounding configuration of hills provided for clean air and the neighboring Elysian Park seemed to insure against any future development. The land was purchased for $7,300. Patients were housed in tent cottages that were specifically constructed so that patients would have maximum exposure to fresh air and sunlight; at that time these elements were of primary importance in order to recover from tuberculosis. In the early days of the Barlow Sanatorium patients lived by strict rules; one document read:
As the century continued, medical advances made tuberculosis a less serious threat for the United States. Because of this, the tuberculosis sanatorium shifted its focus towards chronic respiratory diseases and secondary related diseases.
1925 - The Solano Infirmary, the original hospital structure, burned down, but quick action by the fire department prevented any loss of life. By 1927, the infirmary reopened.
1937 - Dr. Walter Jarvis Barlow, founder of the Barlow Sanatorium, died at the age of 69.
1938 - An official affiliation was forged with the University of Southern California
Medical School that continues today.
1944 - Effective treatment for tuberculosis was first developed, which brought much promise for those suffering with this disease.
1960s - Barlow Sanatorium transforms into a hospital for chronic respiratory diseases.
1970 - Barlow begins to admit patients for weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation.
1990 - Barlow Respiratory Research Center was established.
1994 - The Barlow Foundation was incorporated.
1997 - The first satellite facility opened at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier.
2007 - The second satellite facility opened at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.
many servicemen contracted tuberculosis and were sent to the Barlow Sanatorium. Because of this the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross
built and furnished four four-room cottages for military patients, some of which are still in use today.
. Jared Sidney Torrance had served on Barlow’s Board of Trustees since 1910 as Vice President and President. The library underwent renovations in 1992.
Abel, Emily K. Suffering in the land of sunshine: a Los Angeles Illness Narrative. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2006.
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
located in Echo Park
Echo Park, Los Angeles, California
Echo Park is a hilly neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, northwest of Downtown Los Angeles and southeast of Hollywood.-History:At the end of the 19th century, when the hills were still covered with native vegetation, a horse-drawn streetcar line served the dirt road that is now Echo Park Avenue...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
near Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
.
Originally a tuberculosis sanatorium, Barlow Respiratory Hospital is a long-term acute care facility in Los Angeles that specializes in respiratory diseases and also treats related secondary ailments. The hospital treats approximately 750 patients a year and sets the national benchmark in ventilator weaning at nearly 50%.
Population
The hospital serves an older patient population that suffers from medically complex conditions. 80% of Barlow’s patients are over age 60 and more than half are below the federal poverty level. 80% of its patients are from Los Angeles County while the remaining 20% are admitted from national and international medical facilities. Patients stay at the hospital for an average of 30 days, which is ten times longer than the national average. The patient population is also ethnically diverse and mirrors the diversity of Los Angeles County.Programs
The hospital has four primary treatment programs. Through these programs, it is able to care for conditions that are often associated with respiratory diseases, thus promoting a holistic model of treatment.Ventilator Weaning Program
The Ventilator Weaning Program works to aid in patients becoming more independent from ventilators. In 1970 the hospital admitted its first patient for weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation.Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
This program often works in conjunction with the Ventilator Weaning Program. It evaluates and works with patients in bedside classes to teach lifestyle changes and family/caregiver training. In order to evaluate how successful the program is and the health improvement that each patient is experiencing, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Scores are used. These scores indicate a 71% improvement in function for persons graduating from the program.Wound Care Program
Many patients entering the hospital have lived bedridden for long periods of time. Unfortunately, this often requires specialized care in order to treat the resulting bed wounds. This care is delivered through the Wound Care Program.Chronically Critically Ill Program
Many patients not only suffer from respiratory diseases, they also increasingly endure multiple chronic medical ailments. To combat this, the hospital has developed this interdisciplinary program.History
Walter Jarvis Barlow founded the Barlow Sanatorium in 1902. He received his M.D. degree in 1892 from Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. Though he was born and raised in New York, he was forced to move West in search of a dry and sunny climate after contracting tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in 1895. The sanatorium was founded on 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) of meadowland next to the city-owned Elysian Park on Chavez Ravine Road. The location seemed ideal because the surrounding configuration of hills provided for clean air and the neighboring Elysian Park seemed to insure against any future development. The land was purchased for $7,300. Patients were housed in tent cottages that were specifically constructed so that patients would have maximum exposure to fresh air and sunlight; at that time these elements were of primary importance in order to recover from tuberculosis. In the early days of the Barlow Sanatorium patients lived by strict rules; one document read:
Patients must not expectorate anywhere except in cups provided for that purpose. Cloths are to be used as handkerchiefs and burned morning and evening. Patients must not discuss their ailments or make unnecessary noise. Patients must not put anything hot on glass tables. Lights out at 9 p.m. Cold plunge every morning; hot baths Tuesday and Saturday. Patients are forbidden to throw water or refuse of any kind on the ground. When doctors think them able, every patient must do some work about the Sanatorium or go away. Patients disobeying these rules will be dismissed.
As the century continued, medical advances made tuberculosis a less serious threat for the United States. Because of this, the tuberculosis sanatorium shifted its focus towards chronic respiratory diseases and secondary related diseases.
Timeline
1902 - Founder Walter Jarvis Barlow, M.D., attempting to recover from tuberculosis himself moved west in search of a milder climate. During this year he established Barlow Sanatorium to care for others with tuberculosis.1925 - The Solano Infirmary, the original hospital structure, burned down, but quick action by the fire department prevented any loss of life. By 1927, the infirmary reopened.
1937 - Dr. Walter Jarvis Barlow, founder of the Barlow Sanatorium, died at the age of 69.
1938 - An official affiliation was forged with the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
Medical School that continues today.
1944 - Effective treatment for tuberculosis was first developed, which brought much promise for those suffering with this disease.
1960s - Barlow Sanatorium transforms into a hospital for chronic respiratory diseases.
1970 - Barlow begins to admit patients for weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation.
1990 - Barlow Respiratory Research Center was established.
1994 - The Barlow Foundation was incorporated.
1997 - The first satellite facility opened at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier.
2007 - The second satellite facility opened at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.
Buildings on the campus
Barlow Respiratory Hospital is unique in that it maintains a 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) campus with cottages, a library, the main hospital, and a community hall. Old chicken coops are still standing on the outskirts of the campus. This unique layout can be attributed to the hospital's history as a tuberculosis sanatorium where patients lived for several years.Cottages on the campus
Originally tuberculosis patients lived in tent cottages in order to be constantly exposed to free flowing air. As time went on permanent cottages were added to the campus by various donors. The style of these cottages reflected the popular trends of Los Angeles of the time. The architecture of the bungalows is in the California Bungalow Style. During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
many servicemen contracted tuberculosis and were sent to the Barlow Sanatorium. Because of this the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
built and furnished four four-room cottages for military patients, some of which are still in use today.
The library
Dedicated to the sanatorium on May 6, 1922, this stucco and red tiled library is still in use today. It was paid for by the Los Angeles Optimists’ Club and has stained glass windows donated by James Slauson and a second by Mrs. Helena Torrance in memory of her husband, Jared Sidney TorranceJared Sidney Torrance
Jared Sidney Torrance was an American real estate developer, best known as the founder of Torrance in southwest Los Angeles County, California.-Southern California:...
. Jared Sidney Torrance had served on Barlow’s Board of Trustees since 1910 as Vice President and President. The library underwent renovations in 1992.
The Guildhouse
The Guildhouse was originally the “Men’s Help” quarters, where the men working in the hospital would live. In 1975 the old building was converted into a gift and plant shop. This was funded by the Barlow Guild, a large group of ex-patients dedicated to philanthropy, and the Guildhouse opened in April of that year.The hospital
In 1903, the original hospital of the Barlow Sanatorium was a permanent cottage with 13 rooms, two baths and 12 patient beds. It was built with donations from Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Solano, and was consequently named the Solano Infirmary. In September 1925, the Solano Infirmary burned down. Thankfully, no one died. In 1927 Alfred's wife, Mrs. Ella Brooks Solano, provided for the creation of a new infirmary, the Ella Brooks Solano Infirmary, a building that is still in use as the main hospital today.Further reading
Abel, Emily K. Tuberculosis and the Politics of Exclusion: a History of Public Heath and Migration to Los Angeles. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2007.Abel, Emily K. Suffering in the land of sunshine: a Los Angeles Illness Narrative. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2006.