¶ Medical experts believe that U.S. communities should have 4.5 general hospital beds per 1,000 population. Inching toward that ideal, the national average is now 4.2, the Health Information Foundation reported. Highest regional tally: 4.9 in the Mountain States (despite a pull-down by Utah with only 3.1). Lowest: a bloc comprising Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas. Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, all with fewer than 3.6.
¶ To spare patients and staff the insistent, nerve-racking clangor of bells or "squawk boxes" long used to summon doctors, St. Thomas' Hospital...
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