According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), hospitals are defined as registered facilities that have at least six beds, a staffed physician, and the ability to provide continuous nursing care. But with how complex the healthcare system has become, hospitals can actually vary by a range of factors — from the way that they're funded to the populations they treat.
With over 6,000 hospitals operating across the U.S., understanding the different types of hospitals is essential for facility leaders who want to effectively navigate the healthcare market. In this article, we'll go over common ways that hospitals are classified, outline examples, and answer other frequently asked questions about how hospitals are structured.
What Are the Different Types of Hospitals? 5 Common Classifications
Hospitals can be classified in many different ways, but these classifications are not mutually exclusive. A hospital may have several unique characteristics distinguishing it from other nearby facilities. Below, we'll walk through five common classifications and outline a few types of hospitals (with specific examples) of each.
1. Ownership
The individual or group that runs a hospital can largely influence the way it's operated. So, you may be wondering, how do different hospitals vary in ownership? When classifying facilities, stakeholders generally refer to three main categories:
- For-profit hospitals are operated by a C-suite and accountable to shareholders.
- Non-profit hospitals are run by charitable organizations or academic institutions.
- Government hospitals are funded by taxpayers and overseen by the local, state, or federal government.
| Hospital Type | Commonly Served Populations | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For-profit hospitals | Diverse range of patients seeking advanced medical care | Methodist Hospital |
| Nonprofit hospitals | Uninsured or underinsured patients | Ascension Health |
| Government hospitals | Specific populations receiving benefits from the government | Veterans Affairs |
2. Size
Hospitals can also range in size, which is primarily determined by the number of beds a facility contains. While size can be quite subjective, researchers and healthcare experts commonly use the following benchmarks:
- Small hospitals: Fewer than 100 beds
- Medium hospitals: 100 to 499 beds
- Large hospitals: 500 or more beds
| Hospital Type | Commonly Served Populations | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Small hospitals | Rural communities with limited access to healthcare | Grace Cottage Hospital |
| Medium hospitals | Suburban communities | St. John’s Hospital |
| Large hospitals | Urban communities with high demands for healthcare | Advent Health Orlando |
3. Length of Stay
Another way to distinguish between different types of hospitals is by intended length of stay. Acute care hospitals are designed to provide more intensive short-term care, while long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities are equipped with amenities that support a longer stay.
| Hospital Type | Commonly Served Populations | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Acute care hospitals | Patients requiring short-term treatment for sudden illness/injury | Mount Sinai Hospital |
| LTAC facilities | Patients requiring ongoing medical care and observation during recovery | Kindred Hospital Chicago |
4. Location
You may have also heard of hospitals being classified by their geographical location. Rural hospitals are situated in more isolated areas, and are often the only source of care within a community. In contrast, urban hospitals are located in highly populated towns or cities alongside many other healthcare facilities.
| Hospital Type | Commonly Served Populations | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Rural hospitals | Isolated, lower-income communities | Castleview Hospital |
| Urban hospitals | Populated, higher-income communities | UCSF Medical Center |
5. Specializations
Beyond structure and location, hospitals can also differ based on the services they deliver. There are several focus areas and disciplines that facilities can specialize in. Some hospitals only care for certain age populations, while others may be equipped to treat specific types of conditions.
Hospitals may even focus on advancing healthcare research and training in addition to delivering care services. Below are just a few examples of how hospitals can differ by specialization.
| Hospital Type | Populations Commonly Served | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s hospitals | Pediatric patients up to 21 years old | Lurie Children’s Hospital |
| Psychiatric hospitals | Patients with behavioral and mental health conditions | McLean Hospital |
| Teaching hospitals | Diverse patient populations, with an additional focus on training future medical professionals | Mayo Clinic |
Distinguishing Between Different Types of Hospitals: FAQ
There are many other characteristics that set facilities apart from one another. Below, we'll answer a few additional FAQs to help you distinguish between different facility structures.
What is a community hospital vs. general hospital?
In addition to the classifications we already discussed, you may have also heard of "community" and "general" hospitals. While these terms have become practically interchangeable, general hospitals more broadly encompass all hospitals that provide a broad range of care services. Conversely, a community hospital may be tied to a specific population or geographical area.
What are the 'big 4′ hospitals?
Hospitals are also sometimes classified by prestige. The term "big 4" is often used to refer to hospital systems that are widely renowned for their care quality, research, and innovation. Examples of leading hospitals in the U.S. include Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Johns Hopkins.
Do different hospitals require different types of staff?
While the general structure of care teams is similar across facilities, some hospitals may require staff to have specialized expertise tailored to their services. For example, you'd need a different type of nurses in hospitals that care for psychiatric patients, compared to those for trauma patients, given the unique needs of these patient populations.
What's the difference between hospitals and clinics?
While hospitals focus on providing comprehensive inpatient care, clinics refer to outpatient centers and medical offices that provide more routine, preventive and diagnostic services. Patients go to clinics to receive minor treatments and checkups that don't require overnight stays.
Stay Informed of the Evolving Healthcare Landscape
Learning about different types of hospitals is an important way to stay informed of industry trends. With the market constantly evolving, use our wide range of healthcare management tips and insights to help stay in the know.