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 immediate health concerns, while district hospitals serve as major regional healthcare facilities with 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: Hospital Occupancy Rate

In 1980, the hospital occupancy rate in the US was at 77%.

1981: Peak in Hospitalizations in the United States

In 1981, hospitalizations in the United States peaked with 171 admissions per 1,000 Americans and 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 said that the Church manages 26% of the world's health care facilities.

2011: WHO Report on Hospital Treatment Errors

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 being subject to a treatment error.

2012: District Hospitals Provided 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: CMS Introduced "Two-Midnight" Rule

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

2013: Hospital Occupancy Rate

In 2013, the hospital occupancy rate in the US was at 60%.

2016: Decline in US Hospitals

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

2016: Healthcare Reform and Decline in Admissions Resulted in Poor Financial Performance

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

2017: Healthcare Reform and Decline in Admissions Resulted in Poor Financial Performance

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

2018: "Two-Midnight" Rule Dropped

In 2018, the "two-midnight" rule for inpatient admissions that was introduced in 2013 by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was dropped.

2019: Patient Deaths From Listeria Linked to Pre-Packaged Sandwiches and Salads

In 2019, there were seven patient deaths from listeria linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads in hospitals, which led to the Care Quality Commission focusing on hospital food standards in 2020.

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

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

June 2020: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Managed Patients at Home

Between March and 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: Care Quality Commission Focused on Hospital Food Standards

In 2020, the Care Quality Commission in England turned their attention to hospital food standards after seven patient deaths from listeria linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads in 2019.