hospital

A hospital is a health care facility that provides patient treatment, education, and research, and that can serve as a site for inpatient and outpatient care. Hospitals are typically organized around clinical departments and support services, with an emphasis on coordinated multidisciplinary care.

Hospitals offer a range of services, including emergency medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, intensive care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, pharmacy, and rehabilitation. Many hospitals also provide mental health services, oncology, and specialty care. Inpatient services involve admission to beds; outpatient services include clinics, day surgery, and diagnostic testing.

Types of hospitals include general hospitals that provide a broad spectrum of care; specialty hospitals focused on areas such as cancer, pediatrics, or psychiatry; and teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools that combine patient care with medical education and research. Community, rural, and teaching hospitals illustrate variations in size, scope, and mission.

Hospitals are staffed by physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, technicians, and support staff. Care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams, with clinical governance, patient safety programs, and medical records systems. Accreditation and quality standards, infection control, and financial management are key operational aspects. Funding typically comes from a mix of public funding, private insurance, and charitable contributions, with payment models varying by country.

The concept of hospitals has evolved from charitable or religious institutions in ancient times to modern, technology-enabled facilities. Developments in anesthesia, antisepsis, and medical imaging, as well as evidence-based practice and patient rights, have shaped contemporary hospital care.