Hospitals are medical treatment centers. They are staffed to provide therapeutic and diagnostic care to patients. In addition to providing care to patients, hospitals often serve as teaching and research centers. An example is a police officer who was attacked in a parking lot and woke up with staples in his head. While he was recovering, the officer’s colleagues arranged an ambulance and he was taken to the hospital. The hospital provided treatment and he recovered fully.
The modern hospital concept dates back to the early 5th century ce when the Roman emperor Constantine I abolished pagan hospitals in favor of the Christian church. In ancient times, hospitals were places of refuge for the sick and elderly, but in the early years of Christianity, hospitals evolved into sophisticated institutions for medicine. One of the first hospitals was the Royal Hospital Chelsea, established in 1681 in London as a nursing home for wounded veterans. Today, hospitals have the capacity to treat patients from all walks of life.
In modern times, hospitals are increasingly complex institutions that have more services than ever before. As medical research and development continues to increase patient safety and quality, hospitals require more highly trained staff. Modern technology has led to an immense array of new instruments and treatments. These require highly trained professionals and advanced facilities. As a result, hospitals have become more expensive to operate and the focus on quality has become more intense. The challenges facing health service managers have led to the creation of new models of hospital care.
In the past, hospitals were unable to meet their quality objectives because of the presence of hospitals. Hospitals are not equipped with lower cost care substitutes and their presence may discourage them from saving money. As a result, the hospital is not able to reduce avoidable admissions and revenue by eliminating these costly services. Nonetheless, hospitals should learn to manage the cost of care despite the fact that some patients may be admitted. For many patients, this means reducing the number of inpatient beds, using cheaper care options, and improving the overall quality of care.
Hospitals employ a variety of doctors for the treatment of patients. Some are dedicated solely to medical treatment while others are in a hospital only temporarily. These providers may include a doctor who treats patients as an inpatient, a registrar, or an intern. A physician may also supervise medical students and interns. Each doctor has a specific role and responsibility based on their experience. A resident works on a ward while the senior consultant attends specific meetings.
Hospitals also employ support staff. These professionals are employed to help allied health professionals perform their work. Some hospitals even have dedicated staff for ward receptions and laundry. They also provide transportation for patients and care for patients. While hospitals have doctors who provide the primary care for their patients, they are also required to offer a range of other services to keep the hospital running. Further, the hospital staff is responsible for meals and maintenance of the facility. There are also times when patients may need care from home.