sykehusene

Sykehusene (the hospitals) are medical institutions that provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for ill or injured patients. They deliver inpatient services, including surgical interventions and critical care, as well as specialized outpatient care such as diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, and organ-specific programs.

Origin and terminology: the Norwegian word sykehus combines 'syke' (sick) with 'hus' (house), and sykehusene is the definite plural form used in Norwegian to refer to hospitals.

In Norway, the hospital sector is publicly funded and largely organized under regional health authorities that oversee hospital trusts. University hospitals specialize in advanced treatment and medical education, while general hospitals cover a wide range of acute and elective services.

Typical facilities include emergency departments, operating theaters, intensive care units, diagnostic imaging (such as radiology and MRI), laboratories, maternity wards, and rehabilitation services. Hospitals coordinate with primary care and municipal health services to manage patient pathways.

Historically, hospitals evolved from charitable and religious institutions to organized public facilities in the 18th–20th centuries. In the Norwegian system, the expansion of hospital care accelerated in the postwar era and consolidated under publicly owned regional authorities.

Notable examples in Norway include Oslo Universitetssykehus, Haukeland universitetssykehus, and St. Olavs Hospital.