Krankenhaus

Krankenhaus is the German term for a hospital, an institution that provides medical treatment and care for ill or injured people. The word derives from Kranken (the sick) and Haus (house).

Hospitals typically offer inpatient care and may also provide outpatient or ambulatory services. Key components include emergency departments (Notaufnahme), inpatient wards, surgical suites, intensive care units, diagnostic services (imaging, laboratory), and support services such as pharmacy, rehabilitation, and social work. Medical care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals.

Hospitals are organized and funded in diverse ways. They can be run by public authorities, religious organizations, private for-profit corporations, or non-profit charities. In many countries they form part of national health systems or insurance-based systems. Hospitals may be general facilities serving a broad range of conditions or specialized institutions such as trauma centers, children’s hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, or rural hospitals with a focus on local needs.

In German-speaking countries, Krankenhaus is the standard term for a hospital. In Switzerland and parts of Austria, Spital is also common and sometimes preferred. Klinik is often used for clinics or hospital facilities and may denote a private or specialized institution, depending on local usage.

Historically, hospitals originated as religious charitable institutions in Europe, evolving into modern centers of acute care, surgery, and medical education. Today, they play a central role in patient treatment, complex procedures, emergency response, and clinical research.