A hospital is a healthcare institution with specialized health science and auxiliary staff to diagnose, treat, and support patients suffering from disease or injury. It also provides patient education and conducts medical research. Hospitals are usually large, multi-story buildings with a wide range of departments and facilities. They are staffed by doctors, nurses and other health professionals. In the past, hospitals were often run by religious orders or by volunteers.
In modern times, hospitals are expected to provide high quality, cost-effective care and to be a place where patients feel comfortable and safe. It is essential that the hospital is well-equipped, has a good reputation, and communicates effectively with its local community. It should have a clear system for patient complaints and a highly competent Patient Access Liaison Service (PALS).
The modern concept of hospital dates from 331 ce when Roman Emperor Constantine the Great abolished all pagan hospitals and established his own at Caesarea on the Sea of Marmara. He placed the treatment of the sick at the top of the list of Christian duties and this shifted perceptions of the role of a hospital. Until then, a sick person was isolated from society; the hospital provided care for the poor and needy as a matter of duty.
A good hospital is a place where you can trust that the healthcare professionals are knowledgeable and experienced, where the latest technologies are employed to help people stay healthy, and where your medical records will be kept secure and private. It should have short waiting times for operations, investigations and procedures. It should have an effective PALS service, and good communication with GPs and other hospitals in the local area.
Most hospitals have outpatient departments where you can visit for a consultation or for tests. Some have a dedicated emergency department to deal with acute health problems like accident and fire victims, or sudden illness or injury. Hospitals can also offer long-term care.
Some hospitals have special units that look after geriatric patients or patients with long-term conditions like chronic diseases and arthritis. They can provide rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and specialist nursing care. They may have their own hospices for end-of-life patients.
Hospitals are usually staffed by professional physicians, surgeons and nurses, but in the past they were often run by members of founding religious orders or by volunteers. There are still some religious orders that focus on hospital work, but most hospitals are now staffed by professional medical and healthcare workers. Some hospitals specialise in particular conditions and carry out research to improve treatment. Some are known as teaching hospitals, and train doctors and other medical personnel. There are also a number of charity hospitals that receive funding from charitable foundations to help those who cannot afford to pay for treatment.