A hospital is a facility that provides medical diagnostic and treatment services. There are different types of hospitals, based on the care provided.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
A general (or acute care) hospital provides general medical and surgical
care to patients. This is typically called a community hospital.
SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
A specialty hospital is a facility that specializes in treatment of a
specific medical problem or related group of problems, such as psychiatric
problems, substance abuse issues, specific chronic diseases or cancer.
A specialty hospital admits only individuals with a medical or surgical
need that is within its specialty. A specialty hospital may be located
within a general hospital setting, but have a separate admission area
and staff, or it may be in a separate building.
REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
A rehabilitation hospital provides comprehensive physical, occupational
and speech rehabilitation services. The rehabilitation hospital may
be located within a general hospital or be in a separate location.
An individual must meet specific criteria to be eligible for admission.
Certain rehabilitation services may also be provided in a general hospital
or in a skilled nursing facility.
DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOSPITALS
A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital provides medical and
surgical care to veterans. The VA provides
comprehensive care, including inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation and
extended care
at
its hospitals,
clinics and nursing homes. The Veterans
Administration website provides information about eligibility.
HOSPITALS AS TRAUMA CENTERS
The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS)
designates some Maryland hospitals as trauma centers. When an individual
calls 911, and the paramedics assess that it is an acute trauma, the
patient is transported to the most appropriate trauma center. This
may or may not be the closest hospital.
Regardless of the type of hospital one may use, it is important to understand the following aspects of hospital care: