Hospitals provide around-the-clock care to individuals who either have high level medical needs or are recovering from surgery. Hospitals have teams of health care specialists who oversee the patient's care and meet his/her acute needs. There has been a recent trend towards decreasing the number of days a patient spends in a hospital, so the patient may need further health services once he/she is released. Most hospitals also offer a variety of outpatient services.

Most hospitals are located in large metropolitan areas. If you have a choice of hospitals, it is a good idea to consult with friends and healthcare professionals to find out which hospital(s) offer the best level of care and service.

Hospital care is paid for either by the individual who receives the care, their health insurance plan, or by Medicare.