HOSPITAL:
ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
Definition
of Hospital
According to the World
Health Organization:
"A hospital
is an integral part of a social and medical organization whose function is to
provide complete healthcare, both curative and preventive, to the population.
Its outpatient services reach out to the family and home environment, and it is
also a center for training of health workers and for biomedical research."
Functions
of Hospital
The major functions of a
hospital are:
1.
Patient Care Services
- Diagnosis of diseases.
- Treatment of diseases.
- Rehabilitation services.
- Emergency care.
- Specialized healthcare
services.
2.
Preventive Services
- Immunization programs.
- Health education.
- Disease prevention and
screening.
- Maternal and child health
services.
3.
Promotion of Quality Medical Care
- Improves standards of medical
practice.
- Provides evidence-based
treatment.
4.
Teaching and Training
- Training of doctors, nurses,
pharmacists, and allied health professionals.
- Continuing medical education
(CME).
5.
Research Activities
- Clinical research.
- Drug utilization studies.
- Epidemiological studies.
- Biomedical research.
6.
Administrative Functions
- Planning and policy
formulation.
- Estimation of manpower and
equipment requirements.
- Resource utilization and
evaluation.
7.
Community Services
- Acts as a link between the
public and health policymakers.
- Community outreach programs.
8.
Maintenance of Records
- Clinical records.
- Administrative records.
- Statistical reports.
9.
Safety Programs
- Infection control.
- Biomedical waste management.
- Patient safety initiatives.
10.
Development of Healthcare Policies
- Formulation of hospital
policies and procedures.
- Maintenance of adequate and
competent staff.
Classification
of Hospitals
Hospitals can be
classified based on:
1.
Clinical grounds
2.
Non-clinical grounds
3.
Size
4.
Cost
5.
System of medicine
1.
Based on Clinical Grounds
A.
Medicine-Based Hospitals
- General medicine hospitals
- Pediatric hospitals
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Neurology hospitals
B.
Surgery-Based Hospitals
- Orthopedic hospitals
- ENT hospitals
- Gynecology and Obstetric
hospitals
- Surgical specialty hospitals
C.
Maternity Hospitals
- Short-term maternity hospitals
- Long-term maternity care
centers
2.
Based on Non-Clinical Grounds
A.
Government Hospitals
- District hospitals
- Civil hospitals
- Army hospitals
- Navy hospitals
- Railway hospitals
B.
Non-Government Hospitals
Private Hospitals (For Profit)
- Corporate hospitals.
Non-Profit Hospitals
- Charitable hospitals.
- Community hospitals.
- Mission hospitals.
- Trust hospitals.
3.
Based on Size
|
Type of Hospital |
Number of Beds |
|
Large Hospital |
More than 1000 beds |
|
Medium Hospital |
500–1000 beds |
|
Small Hospital |
100–500 beds |
|
Very Small Hospital |
Less than 100 beds |
4.
Based on Cost
A.
Elite Hospitals
- Highly advanced technology.
- Deluxe facilities.
- Specialized services.
- Example: Apollo Hospitals.
B.
Budget Hospitals
- Affordable treatment.
- Government and charitable
hospitals.
5.
Based on System of Medicine
- Allopathic hospitals
- Ayurvedic hospitals
- Homeopathic hospitals
- Unani hospitals
- Siddha hospitals
Organization
of Hospital
Definition
Organization is a dynamic process in which various managerial
activities bind people together for achieving common goals and objectives.
Governing
Body of Hospital
The highest authority of a
hospital is the:
- Governing Board
- Board of Directors
- Board of Trustees
Composition
of Governing Body
Members may include
experts in:
- Medical education
- Research
- Administration
- Finance
- Law
- Public health
- Government representatives
Functions
of Governing Body
1.
Formulates policies and procedures.
2.
Plans hospital development.
3.
Approves budgets.
4.
Appoints hospital administrator.
5.
Monitors hospital performance.
6.
Ensures quality patient care.
Hospital
Administrator
Responsible for:
- Clinical services
- Nursing services
- Pharmacy services
- Financial management
- Human resource management
- Hospital operations
Services
Performed by Hospital Organization
1.
Nursing Services
Characteristics
- Largest department of the
hospital.
- Functions 24 hours a day.
- Provides direct patient care.
Functions
- Bedside nursing care.
- Prenatal and postnatal care.
- Patient observation.
- Drug administration.
- Health education.
Head of Department
Director of
Nursing Services (DNS).
2.
Outpatient Services (OPD)
Functions
- Diagnosis and treatment of
minor illnesses.
- Preventive services.
- Follow-up services.
- Health education.
- Referral services.
Importance
Acts as the first point of
contact between hospital and community.
3.
Radiological Services
Performed under a
qualified radiologist.
Facilities
- X-ray
- Ultrasonography (USG)
- Electrocardiography (ECG)
- CT Scan
- MRI
- Mammography
Functions
- Diagnosis.
- Monitoring treatment.
- Screening programs.
4.
Central Supply Services (CSSD)
Central Sterile
Supply Department (CSSD)
Functions
- Collection of instruments.
- Cleaning and sterilization.
- Storage.
- Distribution of sterile
supplies.
Importance
Prevents hospital-acquired
infections.
5.
Hospital Pharmacy Services
Hospital pharmacy is
responsible for safe and effective medication management.
Functions
Administrative Functions
- Drug procurement.
- Inventory control.
- Drug storage.
- Budget management.
Clinical Functions
- Dispensing.
- Patient counseling.
- Drug information services.
- Adverse drug reaction
monitoring.
- Medication error prevention.
- Therapeutic drug monitoring.
Manufacturing Functions
- Preparation of sterile
products.
- Compounding.
- Repackaging.
6.
Medical Record Services (MRD)
Medical records contain:
- Patient history.
- Physical examination findings.
- Laboratory reports.
- Diagnostic reports.
- Physician orders.
- Medication records.
- Discharge summary.
Importance
- Continuity of care.
- Research.
- Legal purposes.
- Education.
- Quality assurance.
7.
Store Services
Functions
- Receiving materials.
- Storage of supplies.
- Distribution to departments.
Types
- Medical stores.
- Surgical stores.
- General stores.
Importance
- Maintains buffer stock.
- Ensures uninterrupted patient
care.
8.
Miscellaneous Services
Dietary
Services
Provides therapeutic
diets.
Ambulatory
Services
Transportation of
patients.
Laundry
Services
Cleaning of hospital
linen.
Transport
Services
Movement of patients and
materials.
Mortuary
Services
Storage and handling of
dead bodies.
Library
Services
Educational resources for
healthcare professionals.
