A hospital is a medical facility that provides around-the-clock healthcare services for patients with serious illnesses or injuries. Its experts monitor each patient, perform tests and procedures and provide medication to cure ailments. A hospital may also have an emergency department, surgery rooms and newborn intensive care units. In addition, it usually has diagnostic centers, imaging and lab services. Many hospitals have specialized clinics for specific health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer or skin diseases.
In the United States, there are over 5,000 hospitals ranging from general community hospitals to teaching hospitals that offer medical education programs, federal military and veterans’ hospitals, mental health hospitals and long-term rehabilitative facilities. Each type has unique features and specializes in different types of diseases, injuries or conditions. Some of these facilities have a large number of private rooms while others are large open-plan areas with multiple beds. Some of the most famous hospital institutions in the world are known for their dedication to research, patient care and innovative practices. Examples include Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic in the United States and Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin in Europe.
Patients are generally confined to the hospital for short periods of time, though some stay for extended periods of time. A hospital stay can be a frightening experience for some, especially if they are not well-prepared or have an unfamiliar disease or injury. To help ease the fear and confusion, some hospitals have informational brochures for each room and a hospital staff member to guide the newcomer.
The staff of a hospital is made up of doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, clerks and security personnel. The doctor oversees each patient’s condition and writes orders for treatment. Nurses, a critical part of the healthcare team, are often the first to detect changes in the patient’s condition. They are trained to take vital signs, such as temperature, pulse and blood pressure, report important developments to doctors and carry out the doctor’s instructions if the doctor is not present.
Some injuries are so severe that they must be treated immediately in a hospital’s emergency department. These patients are moved to the appropriate area according to a priority system that determines how severely each injured person is hurt. Hospitals have disaster plans in place for a large number of wounded people, and each facility has its own disaster response teams.
A person wishing to work in a hospital can begin by researching the educational requirements and licensing standards for clinical and non-clinical roles. Then he or she can volunteer at a local hospital and work toward the necessary skills. He or she can also gain experience through internships and pursue a degree program in healthcare administration, technology or medicine. It is important to understand that the demands of a career in a hospital require a strong work ethic, compassion and the ability to follow strict protocols. Many jobs in a hospital involve long shifts and working weekends. The best candidates are self-motivated with excellent communication skills and the desire to make a difference in a patient’s life.