A hospital is a large medical facility that provides around-the-clock emergency and inpatient care for sick or injured patients. Some people go to a hospital for diagnosis, treatment, and therapy but leave quickly (known as “outpatients”), while others are admitted and stay for several days or weeks or months (“inpatients”). Hospitals are the largest provider of health-related services in most countries. Many hospitals are owned by religious or charitable groups and operated by professional physicians, surgeons, nurses, and allied health workers. Others are publicly funded and operate under local or state regulations. Some are highly specialized and offer only a limited range of care, while others provide comprehensive medical and surgical services.
A person may be hospitalized for a serious illness or injury that requires inpatient care, such as heart surgery, brain surgery, burns, or severe poisoning. A doctor might also recommend hospitalization for a less serious but dangerous condition that can’t be treated at home, such as pneumonia, cancer, or a severe asthma attack. Hospitalization can be frightening and disruptive for the patient and family, but it’s often necessary to get the correct medical treatment quickly.
Typically, a person who works in a hospital is a nurse, physician assistant, or a trained healthcare worker. These professionals must have education and licensing requirements, as well as skills like communication, critical thinking, and compassion. They work in fast-paced environments that require them to manage shifts, collaborate with other healthcare providers, and follow strict protocols. Hospitals are also a teaching site for doctors and nurses, and some conduct medical research.
Hospitals are classified by their size, location, and type of service offered. Smaller facilities are often referred to as clinics and may be located in suburban or rural areas. Larger hospitals are often based in urban centers and serve larger populations with more complex health needs.
Specialized hospitals may be privately owned or operated by a religious or charitable group, or they may be part of a larger network that streamlines administration. Some are dedicated to a single disease or condition, such as AIDS, heart disease, or diabetes; others focus on a specific aspect of medicine, such as gynecology or orthopedics.
Hospitals are usually open to the public and visitors are welcome, unless restricted for safety reasons by a doctor or nurse. In some cases, especially in emergency rooms or operating suites, visitors are not allowed to ensure that a patient receives the correct treatment without distraction. It is recommended that visitors wash their hands before and after entering the room, and not touch any medical equipment or surfaces in the hospital. This helps prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of infection for both patients and their visitors. It is also important for visitors to remain mobile while in the hospital, as moving around promotes blood circulation and can help prevent bed sores and other complications of long-term immobility.