[A small hospital ... for what use? Study og the surgical activity at the Loudon hospital 1989]

General hospitals, even small ones, are by no means a secondary element in the French sanitary network, the authors analyze the activity of the department of surgery of Loudun Hospital to show that the part they play is far from negligible, with 1403 patients admitted within one year, 1071 surgical operations performed and 2719 patients received in the emergency unit. They ensure a highly appreciated physical and psychological comfort for the rural population. The costs of the stays are very competitive, even in comparison with private hospitals. These satisfactory sanitary conditions involve a particularly great devotion of both the medical personnel and the allied health workers.