A List of Types of Hospitals in the US
Now that we have gained an understanding of the main categories of hospitals, let us delve into the diverse world of individual hospital types to explore their unique offerings and characteristics.
Hosptial Type (1) Academic Medical Centers
Academic medical centers (AMCs) are hospitals that provide patient care, and are closely affiliated with medical schools and serve as major centers for medical education, research, and advanced clinical care. They play a vital role in training future physicians, conducting cutting-edge research, and providing high-quality patient care.
Top 5 Academic Medical Centers
Hosptial Type (2) Acute Hospital
Acute care hospitals are healthcare facilities that specialize in providing immediate and short-term medical care for patients with acute illnesses or injuries. This can include – illnesses, diseases, injuries, surgeries, surgery recoveries, obstetric care, postnatal care, etc.
Top 5 Acute Hospital
Hosptial Type (3) Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Ambulatory surgical centers, or ASCs, are facilities that perform surgeries without hospital admission. ASCs offer more cost-effective services and a more convenient, less stressful setting than many hospitals.
Top 5 Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Type of Hospital (4) Children’s Hospitals
Children's hospitals are specialized healthcare facilities dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients, from infants to adolescents. These hospitals focus on addressing the unique medical needs of children, providing specialized services, and a child-centered approach to healthcare. What differentiates them from other hospitals are their programming, support services, staff, and facilities tailored specifically to serve the needs of kids.
Top 5 Children’s Hospitals
Hosptial Type (5) Community Hospitals
Community hospitals are small local hospitals that offer a variety of services to their surrounding communities. These can include community beds, maternity, clinics, minor injuries units, X-ray departments, etc. According to the AHA, the total number of U.S. community hospitals accounted for 5,139, with 3,343 urban community hospitals and 1,796 rural community hospitals.
Top 5 Community Hospitals
Hosptial Type (6) Clinics
Clinics generally have a smaller scale compared to hospitals and primarily focus on providing outpatient care. Unlike hospitals, clinics do not have the capability to accommodate overnight stays for patients requiring extended recovery, treatment, diagnosis, or observation. However, they do offer a wide range of medical services, including preventive care, routine check-ups, diagnostic tests, minor procedures, and specialized treatments in various medical fields.
Top 5 Clinics
Hosptial Type (7) District Hospitals
District hospitals are often the largest health care center in its region, with many intensive care beds and additional beds for patients requiring long-term care. They can offer a range of services such as medicine, obstetrics, mental health, eye care, rehabilitation, surgery (including trauma and orthopedics), pediatrics, geriatrics, etc.
Top 5 District Hospitals
Hosptial Type (8) Federal Hospitals
Federal hospitals are healthcare facilities that are owned and operated by the government at the federal level. These hospitals are typically funded and managed by government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense (DoD), depending on the target population they serve. Currently, we have 207 federal hospitals in the United States.
Top 5 Federal Hospitals
Hosptial Type (9) For-Profit Hospitals
For-profit hospitals are privately owned healthcare facilities that operate with the primary goal of generating profits for their shareholders and investors. Unlike not-for-profit hospitals, the earnings of for-profit hospitals are distributed among shareholders rather than reinvested back into the hospital for improvements, new services, or medical advancements.
Top 5 For-Profit Hospitals
Hosptial Type (10) Free Hospitals
Free hospitals, also known as charitable hospitals or public hospitals, are healthcare facilities that do not charge patients for the medical services they provide. These hospitals primarily serve individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds who may not have the means to afford healthcare expenses.
Top 5 Free Hospitals Hospitals
Hospitals in a Network
Hospital networks consist of multiple healthcare facilities that collaborate and operate in connection with one another to provide comprehensive medical services to a single community or multiple communities. These networks offer several benefits, primarily focusing on enhancing efficiency, eliminating service redundancy, and ensuring high-quality care for patients.
Top 5 Hospitals in a Network
Independent Hospitals
Independent hospitals, also known as standalone hospitals, are healthcare facilities that operate autonomously and are not affiliated with larger hospital networks or healthcare systems. Despite that, you can find services such as emergency care, inpatient care, surgical services, diagnostic imaging, and more.
Top 5 Independent Hospitals
Large Hospitals
Large hospitals are typically those with 500 or more beds. They are major medical centers that serve extensive populations, often located in urban areas. They boast comprehensive facilities, advanced medical technology, and a broad range of specialized departments and services. They are equipped to handle complex medical cases, conduct cutting-edge research, and provide specialized treatments across various medical specialties.
Top 5 Large Hospitals
Long-Term Hospitals
Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) specialize in providing extended medical care and rehabilitation services for patients with complex, chronic, or life-threatening conditions such as stroke, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other major medical/surgical illnesses.
Top 5 Long-Term Hospitals
Medium Hospitals
Medium-sized hospitals have bed capacities ranging from 100 to 499. They provide a broader range of services compared to small hospitals. They often have more specialized departments and offer a wider array of medical treatments, surgical procedures, and diagnostic services. They serve larger communities and may have affiliations with medical schools or research institutions.
Top 5 Medium Hospitals
Maternity hospitals
Maternity hospitals, popularly known as obstetric hospitals or birthing centers, specialize in providing comprehensive healthcare services to expectant mothers before, during, and after childbirth. Although many hospitals provide childbirth facilities, what differentiates a specialized maternity hospital is that they have dedicated labor and delivery units where experienced healthcare professionals, such as obstetricians, midwives, and nurses, assist in the process of childbirth.
Top 5 Maternity hospitals
Non Profit Hospitals
Non-profit hospitals operate with the primary goal of serving the community and providing healthcare services rather than generating profits for shareholders or investors. Their focus is on providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services and addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations.
Top 5 Non Profit Hospitals
Osteopathic Hospitals
Osteopathic hospitals take on a holistic approach to medicine, emphasizing the body's innate ability to heal itself. They offer a range of medical services while incorporating osteopathic principles and practices.
Top 5 Osteopathic Hospitals
Psychiatric Hospitals
Psychiatric hospitals, many referred to as mental health hospitals or psychiatric wards, specialize in treating and caring for individuals experiencing severe mental health disorders or psychiatric emergencies. They offer excellent inpatient services, providing a secure and structured environment for individuals with acute mental health needs.
Top 5 Psychiatric Hospitals
Rehabilitation Hospitals
Rehabilitation hospitals and treatment centers are dedicated to providing specialized care and therapy to individuals recovering from various illnesses, injuries, or surgical procedures. These facilities focus exclusively on patient rehabilitation, aiming to restore functionality, independence, and quality of life.
Top 5 Rehabilitation Hospitals
Research Hospitals
Research hospitals dedicate significant resources and expertise to conducting medical research and advancing scientific knowledge. In addition to providing patient care, these hospitals focus on studying diseases, developing innovative treatments, and finding cures for various conditions.
Top 5 Research Hospitals
Seniors Geriatric Hospitals
Geriatric hospitals provide comprehensive medical care and support services tailored to the individual needs of older adults. They have healthcare professionals who are specially trained in geriatric medicine and have expertise in addressing the complex healthcare needs of older adults. They understand the age-related physiological changes, chronic conditions, and cognitive issues commonly experienced by seniors.
Top 5 Seniors Geriatric Hospitals
Small Hospitals
Small hospitals typically have fewer than 100 beds. They are generally community-based and serve local populations. These hospitals offer a range of services, including basic medical care, emergency services, and limited specialty services.
Top 5 Small Hospitals
Specialty Hospitals
Specialized hospitals play a critical role in healthcare by focusing on specific areas of medical expertise and delivering specialized treatments and services. These hospitals are often affiliated with larger healthcare networks and are dedicated to providing high-quality care in their respective specialties. Women’s hospitals, Children’s hospitals, Cardiac hospitals, Oncology hospitals, etc., are all an example of specialty hospitals.
Top 5 Specialty Hospitals
State Hospitals
State hospitals serve as educational institutions and healthcare providers within their communities. These hospitals receive significant funding from the state government, with additional support from grants and endowments provided by local charitable organizations. They play a crucial role in providing medical care, conducting research, and offering valuable learning experiences to aspiring healthcare professionals.
Top 5 State Hospitals
Teaching Hospitals
Teaching hospitals, often associated with universities, colleges, medical schools, or nursing schools, serve as dynamic institutions where medical and healthcare services intersect with education and training. These hospitals provide a platform for the development of future healers by offering hands-on learning opportunities to students, interns, and fellows. Under the guidance of experienced physicians, teachers, department chairs, and medical staff, these aspiring healthcare professionals gain practical experience while delivering quality care to patients.
Top 5 Teaching Hospitals
Trauma Center Hospitals
Trauma centers are equipped with dedicated emergency departments that are staffed 24/7 with highly trained medical professionals who are experienced in handling critical injuries. According to the American Trauma Society, trauma center hospitals are classified into five levels based on specific criteria. These classifications may vary between states, and most trauma centers have separate designations or levels for adult trauma and pediatric trauma care.
Top 5 Trauma Center Hospitals
Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital
VA hospitals are dedicated medical centers responsible for providing comprehensive care to war veterans and retired military personnel. These facilities prioritize the well-being and specific healthcare needs of veterans, with patient advocates available at each hospital to offer support and ensure that their requirements are met. These hospitals are well-equipped and offer a wide range of services to address various medical conditions and promote overall health. These services include surgery, pharmacy services, mental health treatment, physical therapy, critical care, radiology, and orthopedics. It is important to note that VA hospitals are overseen by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with funding provided by the federal government. Veterans receive free treatment at VA facilities as a form of gratitude for their service to the country.
Top 5 Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital
Wrap-Up
It is evident that the diversity of hospitals allows for a comprehensive and efficient healthcare system. Whether it is receiving treatment for a specific medical condition, seeking advanced research and innovation, or accessing specialized care for children or seniors, the availability of different types of hospitals ensures that patients receive the appropriate care they need. In this blog, we have explored the different types of hospitals and their unique offerings. From academic medical centers and acute hospitals to specialized facilities such as children's hospitals and psychiatric hospitals, each type serves a specific purpose in the healthcare landscape. Nonetheless, the diverse array of hospitals provides a range of services and expertise in which patients can benefit from specialized care, access to advanced treatments, renowned specialists, and a positive healthcare experience tailored to their requirements.