A hospital is an ordinary health care facility that provides complete patient care by well-trained and experienced medical staff and expert nursing and medical personnel. Unlike a private hospital, patients in hospital are generally admitted for routine illnesses such as colds and flu, or serious illnesses or accidents. Patients may be given medication on the spot, or the doctor may recommend taking medication only upon the recommendation of the patient’s doctor or nurse.
There are many types of hospitals: military hospitals, acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, mental health hospitals, cancer treatment centers, hospital outpatient services, rehabilitation centers, heath or medical hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospices and nursing and convalescent homes. Most US states have a wide variety of hospitals and rehabilitation centers, including some that are chain hospitals and others which are specialty hospitals. They offer all the services and facilities to meet the needs of their patients. A large number of hospitals in the US have a doctor shortage, especially in areas with a large percentage of minorities and people from low-income groups, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The study found that more than 25 percent of these hospitals had at least one doctor who is not a specialist.
The services that are offered by a hospital often depend on the main purpose of the hospital. Some specialize in major surgeries and infectious diseases, while others provide comprehensive medical care for all kinds of diseases. A hospital can house any kind of patient, from children to old people, men, women and elderly. Some hospitals also have rehabilitation or outpatient services to address the needs of people returning from a long illness or surgery. Most of them have special departments for dealing with mental health problems and providing counseling and support services to patients suffering from any kind of mental illness.