| A hospital is an institution for health care providing patient treatment by specialised staff and equipment, and often, but not always providing for longer-term patient stays. Today, hospitals usually are funded by the state, by health organisations, (for profit or nonprofit), health insurance companies or charities, including by direct charitable donations. In history, however, hospitals often were founded and funded by religious orders or charitable individuals and leaders. Similarly, modern-day hospitals are largely staffed by professional physicians, surgeons, and nurses, whereas in history, this work usually was performed by the founding religious orders or by volunteers. |
