History of Hospital in Timeline

A hospital is a healthcare institution that offers patient treatment using specialized medical expertise, auxiliary healthcare staff, and medical equipment. The general hospital is the most common type, featuring an emergency department for immediate health concerns, from accidents to sudden illnesses. A district hospital serves as the primary healthcare center in its region, equipped with numerous beds for intensive care and long-term patient care.

1948: National Health Service founded in the United Kingdom

In 1948, the National Health Service (NHS), which became the principal provider of health care in the United Kingdom, was founded.

1980: Occupancy rates dropped in US hospitals

In 1980, occupancy rates in US hospitals stood at 77%.

1981: Peak in US hospitalizations

In 1981, the United States experienced a peak in hospitalizations, reaching 171 admissions per 1,000 Americans and having 6,933 hospitals.

2010: Church manages 26% of the world's health care facilities

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

2011: WHO reported hospital admission riskier than flying

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

2012: District hospitals provided uncompensated care in California

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

2013: Occupancy rates dropped in US hospitals

By 2013, occupancy rates in US hospitals had dropped to 60% from 77% in 1980.

2013: CMS introduced the "two-midnight" rule

In 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a "two-midnight" rule for inpatient admissions.

2016: Decline in US hospitals

By 2016, the number of US hospitals had shrunk from 6,933 in 1981 to 5,534, reflecting a trend of decreasing hospitalizations.

2016: Healthcare reform resulted in US hospital systems performing poorly financially

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

2017: Healthcare reform resulted in US hospital systems performing poorly financially

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

2018: CMS dropped the "two-midnight" rule

In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) dropped the "two-midnight" rule for inpatient admissions, which had been 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 the COVID Oximetry@Home service, enabling the monitoring of over 5000 patients daily in their homes by recording vital signs such as blood oxygen levels.

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

In June 2020, the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust managed around 1200 patients at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring their oxygen levels and supporting them by telephone.

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

In 2020, England's Care Quality Commission turned their attention to hospital food standards, emphasizing nutrition and hydration as part of a patient's recovery.