Institutions providing medical care of a type or level that cannot generally be offered at home. Many hospitals are government institutions, run by federal, state, county, community, or city governments, sometimes at least partly funded by local contributions; many others are owned and operated by religious groups; some are linked with university research and teaching programs; and some are run on a for-profit basis by medical-care corporations.
The traditional definition of “hospital” is that it is a health care institution which has an organized professional staff and medical staff, and inpatient facilities, and which provides medical, nursing, and related services. States have specific definitions for what may be called a “hospital,” including, for example, a minimum number of beds, and the services which must be available.
An institution offering residential, investigatory, and/or therapeutic care regarded as too (inpatient), including the care of patients for a whole day and their return home at night (day hospital). Outpatient services include consultation with designated specialists by prior appointment. X-rays, laboratory tests, physiotherapy, and accident and emergency services for those requiring urgent care.
A facility that provides comprehensive health-care services and overnight accommodations for patients.