A hospital is a building or room where sick and injured people are cared for by doctors and other medical staff. There are both public and private hospitals. Public hospitals are usually run by local governments and receive some of their funding from taxpayers’ money. Private hospitals are not required to accept public money and often charge more for their services. Both kinds of hospitals have their advantages and disadvantages.
Visiting someone in the hospital can be a stressful experience. This is especially true in an emergency situation. However, if you are visiting a friend or family member in the hospital for a scheduled procedure, it is possible to reduce the stress by taking some steps in advance.
Before you go to the hospital, make sure that your doctor’s office has all of your medical records and contact information. This will help the hospital to find your current medications and to contact your regular doctor if there are any questions or concerns. You should also bring a copy of any medical directives you have, including a living will and durable power of attorney, so that the hospital staff can keep these on file.
Most hospitals are large, and they can be confusing to navigate. Try to have a map with you and pay attention to signs that point the way to different areas of the facility. The front desk of the hospital should have printed maps that can be given to visitors. You should also ask the hospital if they have any other ways to help you find your way around.
When you arrive at the hospital, check with your friend or family member to see if it is okay for you to retrieve some of his/her personal belongings. This is a great way to brighten up the hospital stay and can help make him/her more comfortable.
Some people who visit the hospital are too ill or too old to be taken home right away. In these situations, the hospital can be a temporary place to live for some time until a person is well enough to return home. This type of facility is sometimes referred to as a nursing home.
Hospitals have been built since ancient times to treat sick people. They were originally constructed and run by religious orders, but today most hospitals are staffed by professional physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other health care professionals. Some hospitals are also funded by the government, patients’ health insurance, or by charitable donations.
The word “hospital” comes from the Latin term hospitium, which means “place of hospitality.” In the past, most hospitals were founded and run by members of religious orders or by charitable groups. The National Library of Medicine attributes the first documented general hospital to be one that was built in Baghdad in the 9th century. In the United States, most hospitals were built during the industrial revolution in response to rising rates of infectious diseases. Currently, most hospitals are financed by the government, by charging for treatment and check-ups, by donations from the public, or by a mixture of these sources.