A hospital is a facility where sick people are cared for by trained medical staff. Hospitals often concentrate a wide range of medical services and procedures in one place so that they can diagnose and treat many conditions more effectively and quickly than is possible at smaller health service centers. Modern hospitals are complex facilities that require a large amount of expensive equipment and highly skilled health workers to operate. Hospitals can be funded by governments, health insurance companies, patients themselves or by charitable donations.
The word hospital comes from the Latin hospitium, meaning a “place of hospitality”. In ancient times, these places were used to shelter travelers or strangers who had nowhere else to go. Later, they were also used as almshouses for the poor and as hostels for pilgrims. Today, the vast majority of hospitals are professional institutions that employ physicians, nurses and allied health practitioners. They are also often run by religious groups that have a special focus on healthcare.
Most countries have national or regional health systems that oversee and fund hospitals, and each country’s hospital system may differ from others. For example, some countries only have a few large, teaching hospitals while others have more small community hospitals. Many hospitals are located in urban areas and serve a wide population. Others are located in rural areas and serve a more limited population. In either case, each country’s hospital system is designed to provide the best care to its citizens.
Hospitals can be broadly divided into three categories: acute care, long term care and rehabilitation. Acute care hospitals are primarily responsible for the diagnosis, treatment and management of life threatening illness and injury. Long term care hospitals, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with managing chronic illnesses. Rehabilitation facilities, like the ones found in universities, are increasingly becoming part of hospitals’ scope of activities.
Whether you are in the hospital for a minor surgery or an emergency room visit, it can be a frightening experience. But there are ways to make the stay more bearable. One way is to bring books, magazines and other things to keep you occupied. Another is to wear your identity bracelet at all times. It will help the staff to identify you and to contact your family members if necessary.
It is important to remember that you are in the hospital to get better. Your main goal should be to recover from your illness as soon as possible so that you can return home. This will require cooperation between you, your doctor and the other healthcare professionals in the hospital. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse about them. You should also bring copies of any advance directives or legal forms that specify who makes your medical decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself. These documents will help the hospital to provide you with the best possible care. This is known as patient-centered care.