History of Hospital in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 2, 2026

A hospital is a healthcare institution that provides medical treatment to patients. General hospitals often have emergency departments for urgent health issues. District hospitals serve as major healthcare facilities within a region, offering intensive care and long-term care beds.

1948: The National Health Service was founded in the United Kingdom

In 1948, the National Health Service, the principal provider of health care in the United Kingdom, was founded.

1980: Occupancy rates at US hospitals

In 1980, occupancy rates at hospitals in the United States were at 77%.

1981: Peak in hospitalizations in the United States

In 1981, hospitalizations in the United States peaked at 171 admissions per 1,000 Americans, with a total of 6,933 hospitals.

2010: Church manages a percentage of the world's health care facilities

In 2010, the Church's Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers stated that the Church manages 26% of the world's health care facilities.

2011: WHO reported risk of treatment error in hospitals

In 2011, the World Health Organization reported that the chance of a patient experiencing a treatment error in a hospital was approximately 10% globally, with a death risk of about one in 300.

2012: District hospitals provided uncompensated care in California

In 2012, district hospitals in California provided $54 million in uncompensated care.

2013: Hospital Occupancy rates dropped

In 2013, hospital occupancy rates in the United States dropped to 60%.

2013: CMS introduced "two-midnight" rule

In 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a "two-midnight" rule for inpatient admissions, intending to reduce the increasing number of long-term "observation" stays being used for reimbursement.

2016: Decrease in US hospitals

By 2016, the number of US hospitals had decreased from 6,933 in 1981 to 5,534.

2016: Poor financial performance of US hospital-based healthcare systems

In 2016, healthcare reform and a continued decline in admissions resulted in US hospital-based healthcare systems performing poorly financially.

2017: Poor financial performance of US hospital-based healthcare systems

In 2017, healthcare reform and a continued decline in admissions resulted in US hospital-based healthcare systems performing poorly financially.

2018: CMS dropped "two-midnight" rule

In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) dropped the "two-midnight" rule that was introduced in 2013.

2019: Patient deaths from listeria linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads

In 2019, seven patient deaths from listeria were linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads.

April 2020: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust started a COVID Oximetry@Home service

In April 2020, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust initiated a COVID Oximetry@Home service, enabling monitoring of over 5000 patients daily in their homes by recording vital signs like blood oxygen levels.

June 2020: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust managed patients at home during COVID-19

In June 2020, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust managed approximately 1200 patients at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring oxygen levels and providing telephone support, and planned to continue the system for respiratory patients after the pandemic.

2020: Care Quality Commission turned its attention to hospital food standards

In 2020, the Care Quality Commission in England focused on hospital food standards, following patient deaths from listeria linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads in 2019, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and hydration for patient recovery.