infirmary

An infirmary is a small medical facility located within an institution such as a school, military installation, ship, prison, or factory. It is designed to provide initial medical assessment, basic treatment, and first aid for routine illnesses and injuries, as well as short-term observation for more serious cases until transfer to a hospital if needed. Infirmaries are distinguished from hospitals by their smaller size, more limited services, and on-site focus on the institution’s population rather than the general public.

Typical services include triage, first aid, wound care, administration of medications under defined protocols, basic examinations, and observation of patients with minor conditions. Staffing usually comprises nurses or medical assistants, with access to a physician or nurse practitioner for more complex cases, depending on the institution.

Facilities may include examination rooms, a small treatment area, a pharmacy or medication closet, basic diagnostic equipment, and several beds for short-term observation. In some contexts, the infirmary functions as the on-site health center, while in others it provides overflow capacity for a nearby hospital.

Originally, the term infirmary derived from the Latin infirmus and came to denote the sick ward in monasteries and charitable houses. In modern usage, it is often applied to on-site medical facilities in schools, the military, and similar organizations. The infirmary is not typically a substitute for emergency medical services or full hospital care.