A hospital is a medical facility that provides diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases or injuries. Hospitals are primarily staffed by professional physicians and nurses. Unlike clinics, hospitals have inpatient beds where patients are admitted for short stays. Hospitals can also have outpatient services such as ambulatory surgery and emergency departments. A hospital may also have a variety of specialized departments such as psychiatric care, cancer treatment, children’s healthcare, or long-term acute care.
The word “hospital” originates from the Latin noun hospitium, which means hospitality or guest-chamber. Originally, the term was applied to institutions that provided temporary lodging or shelter for travellers and pilgrims. Later, it was used for a place of rest and recovery for the sick.
Nowadays, there are a lot of different kinds of hospitals. Some are general hospitals that can treat a wide range of diseases. Others are specialized and only focus on one disease or clientele. There are also maternity hospitals for women, children’s hospitals for the young, and geriatric hospitals for the elderly. Moreover, there are special hospitals that are intended for a particular type of patient such as a trauma center, heart hospital, or kidney transplant center.
While most hospitals are private businesses, some are owned and operated by the government. They can also be run by specific religious orders such as the Alexians or the Bon Secours Sisters. The earliest hospital in the United States was founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond in 1751. Hospitals are currently staffed by professional physicians, surgeons, and nurses and are often equipped with modern technology such as computed tomography scanners, magnetic resonance imaging devices, and cardiac catheterization laboratories.
Most hospitals are designed as acute care institutions where patients stay for a short period of time, typically 10 days or less. There are also a few chronic institutions where patients stay for a longer period of time. Hospitals are staffed by professionals such as doctors and nurses and also support staff like pharmacy, laboratory technicians, and support services workers.
In addition to providing healthcare, hospitals are important research centers. Some of the best hospitals are known for their innovations in medicine science and their dedication to patient care. A recent survey by Newsweek and Statista ranked the top 100 hospitals worldwide. The survey takes into account the number of specialties, reputation, cost-effectiveness, and other factors.