Research
September 7, 2011
Primer on Hospitals
A hospital is a medical center that provides patients with diagnostic services, medical treatment, and inpatient beds for patients staying overnight. Hospitals exist to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient services, including clinical laboratory and operating room services. Typical offerings include acute care services, surgical operations, radiology, respiratory therapy, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies. Most hospitals also have intensive care, critical care or coronary care units, as well as provide physical therapy, orthopedics, oncology services, and outpatient services.