sairaala

Sairaala is the Finnish term for a hospital, a health care facility that provides medical treatment for illness and injury. Hospitals offer a range of services, including emergency care, diagnosis, inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation. They can function as general hospitals serving a broad range of medical needs or as specialized or teaching hospitals focusing on specific fields such as pediatrics, cardiology, or oncology.

In Finland, hospital care is organized through hospital districts that coordinate specialized medical services and are funded by municipalities and the state. Most day-to-day care in hospitals is publicly funded, while private hospitals or clinics exist alongside the public system. University hospitals, such as those affiliated with Finnish universities, provide tertiary care, advanced diagnostics, teaching, and research.

Common hospital units include emergency departments, surgical wards, internal medicine and pediatric wards, obstetrics and gynecology, intensive care, radiology and laboratories, and rehabilitation services. Modern Finnish hospitals emphasize patient safety, infection control, digital records, and integrated care pathways.

Access to hospital services is based on clinical need, with primary care providers typically coordinating referrals for specialized or inpatient care. Patients may be admitted for short-term observation, surgery, or longer treatment; outpatient clinics handle follow-up and day surgeries as well.