History of Hospital in Timeline

A hospital is a healthcare institution offering patient treatment through specialized staff and medical equipment. General hospitals are the most common, featuring emergency departments for urgent health problems. District hospitals serve as major regional facilities, providing intensive care and long-term care beds.

1948: National Health Service Founded

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

1980: Occupancy Rates Dropped

In 1980, hospital occupancy rates dropped from 77%.

1981: Peak Hospitalizations in the US

In 1981, the number of hospitalizations in the United States grew to its peak with 171 admissions per 1,000 Americans and 6,933 hospitals.

2010: Church Manages Healthcare Facilities

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

2011: WHO Report on Hospital Risks

In 2011, the World Health Organization reported that being admitted to a hospital was far riskier than flying, with a 10% chance of a patient experiencing a treatment error and a one in 300 chance of death resulting from an error.

2012: Uncompensated Care

In 2012, district hospitals in California provided $54 million in uncompensated care, highlighting their role in serving uninsured patients and those with Medi-Cal.

2013: Occupancy Rates Dropped

By 2013, hospital occupancy rates dropped from 77% in 1980 to 60%.

2013: CMS "two-midnight" rule

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

2016: Decline in US Hospitals

By 2016, the number of US hospitals had shrunk from 6,933 in 1981 to 5,534, indicating a reversal of the previous trend.

2016: Poor Financial Performance of US Hospital 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 Systems

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

2018: CMS "two-midnight" rule dropped

In 2018, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) dropped the "two-midnight" rule for inpatient admissions.

2019: Listeria deaths

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

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

In April 2020, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust started a COVID Oximetry@Home service, enabling them to monitor more than 5000 patients a day in their own homes by monitoring vital signs such as blood oxygen levels.

June 2020: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Virtual Wards

In June 2020, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust managed around 1200 patients at home and planned to continue the system after COVID-19, initially for respiratory patients.

2020: Hospital food standards

In 2020, the Care Quality Commission turned their attention to hospital food standards after seven patient deaths from listeria linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads in 2019, saying "Nutrition and hydration is part of a patient's recovery."