LHôpitals

LHôpitals is a regional hospital network operating in the fictional region of Lhôparia. It comprises urban hospitals, rural clinics, and specialized centers. The network emphasizes patient-centered care, standardized clinical pathways, and the integration of teaching and research with service delivery. The name reflects a bilingual context, combining Lhôparian and French terminology for hospitals.

The network traces its origins to a 1998 reform aimed at centralizing procurement, standardizing clinical protocols, and expanding access. It consolidated previously independent institutions into a single governance structure overseen by the regional health authority.

Structure and services: LHôpitals operates regional hubs and satellite facilities. Core services include emergency medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, mental health, and rehabilitative care. It uses electronic medical records and telemedicine to connect sites and support continuity of care.

Funding and access: It is funded by government subsidies, patient fees adjusted by income, and philanthropic contributions. LHôpitals aims to provide universal access, with waivers for low-income patients and uncompensated care policies for emergencies.

Impact and governance: Governance is shared between a board and professional councils; performance metrics include wait times, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction. It reports improvements in rural access but faces workforce shortages and capital investment needs.