Moving to the United States brings many changes, including learning how to navigate the healthcare system. Hospitals play a major role in providing medical care, especially for serious injuries or illnesses. Understanding what hospitals are, who works there, and how they operate can help immigrants use them effectively when needed.
This guide will provide an in-depth look at the different departments, personnel, processes, and costs related to hospitals. Knowing how hospitals work and what to expect can make these essential healthcare facilities less intimidating for newcomers.
What is a Hospital?
A hospital is a healthcare facility that provides treatment for patients with acute, complex, or chronic medical issues that require overnight stays. Hospitals offer services like:
- Emergency care
- Intensive care
- Complex diagnostic tests
- Major surgeries
- Childbirth and newborn care
The key distinction between a doctor’s office and a clinic is that hospitals allow admitting and caring for patients round-the-clock who need constant monitoring or intensive treatment.
There are several types of hospitals such as general acute care, children’s, cancer, psychiatric, rehabilitation, and critical access hospitals. They range from community facilities to major medical centers affiliated with universities.
Main Departments and Areas of a Hospital
Large hospitals have many specialized departments and areas. Some of the major ones are:
Emergency Department – Where patients are assessed and treated for traumatic injuries, accidents, and other critical health issues. Has resuscitation equipment and fast access to testing.
Operating Rooms – Where surgeries, including major operations like transplants and neurosurgery, are performed by surgeons with support from nurses and technicians.
Imaging Department – Provides diagnostic radiology services like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, mammograms, and ultrasound.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – Contains advanced life support equipment to care for the most critically ill patients who require constant monitoring.
Laboratory – Conducts tests on clinical specimens to obtain information about patient health from blood, tissues, and other samples.
Inpatient Floors/Units – Areas of the hospital where patients stay overnight or longer for medical treatment and nursing care.
Pharmacy – Dispenses medications prescribed to hospital patients and offers medication counseling.
Billing Offices – Handle the hospital’s insurance and payment procedures and assist patients with financial matters.
Key Staff and Personnel
It takes a large, diverse team of professionals to run a hospital and care for patients:
- Physicians – Doctors like surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospitalists, and medical specialists examine patients, perform procedures, and oversee treatment plans.
- Nurses – RNs, LPNs, and nurse assistants provide around-the-clock bedside care to patients including administering medications and monitoring status.
- Technicians – Specially trained personnel who operate medical equipment and assist with tests, imaging, surgery, and other technical aspects of care.
- Administrators – Handle regulatory compliance, quality assurance, policymaking, finances, and operational management of the hospital.
- Support Staff – Dietary, housekeeping, security, billing, admissions, clerical, and other roles keep the hospital running smoothly.
Having the right mix of qualified personnel is crucial for delivering high-quality patient care and effective hospital operations.
How Patients Arrive at the Hospital
There are several ways patients enter the hospital for inpatient care:
- Emergency Department – Get admitted after being assessed in the ER for a serious health issue.
- Direct Admission – The patient’s doctor contacts the hospital to have them admitted for further treatment.
- Transfer – Patients come from other hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics that cannot provide the level of care needed.
- Outpatient Procedure – Patients who come for same-day surgery, chemotherapy, or tests may be admitted if complications arise.
The path a patient takes depends on the nature of their situation and where they were when the health issue arose. Hospitals have processes to quickly get patients registered and move them to the appropriate department.
How Patients Are Cared for in the Hospital
The hospital staff provides continuous medical care during a patient’s stay. Typical aspects include:
- Admitting process of collecting health data and insurance information
- Conducting tests and exams to diagnose the problem
- Doctors developing a treatment plan and ordering medications, therapies, and procedures
- Nurses monitor vital signs, administer treatments, assist doctors, and tend to needs
- Social workers and case managers coordinate discharge plans and follow-up care
- Therapists providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc. based on the condition
- Dietary staff delivering meals that meet patients’ nutritional needs
The care team works together to stabilize patients, control symptoms, improve health, and get them ready to transition home or to another care facility.
Paying for Hospital Care and Medical Treatment
Hospital care is expensive in the United States. The bills for services, medications, supplies, and facility fees can add up quickly. Here are some common ways patients pay for hospital care:
- Private Health Insurance – Covers some portion of costs for insured patients. However, patients still pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Private health insurance care be purchased directly from carriers or through the Health Marketplace.
- Medicare – Government health program that provides hospital coverage for seniors and some people with disabilities. But there are deductibles and copays. You will need to work in the U.S. for a certain period of time and pay into FICA.
- Medicaid – Joint federal/state program that provides free or low-cost comprehensive health coverage for low-income qualifying individuals.
- Uninsured – May be eligible for discounts or charity care programs offered by many hospitals. Payment plans are also an option.
Reviewing Hospital Bills
Hospital bills can be overwhelming, with confusing charges. Immigrants may not know bills can often be negotiated down and payment plans arranged. There are services that can help:
- Hospital’s Billing Office – Ask to review charges in detail and discuss bill lowering, discounts, and payment arrangements.
- Medical Billing Advocates – Special companies that audit hospital bills and negotiate lower costs on your behalf for a fee.
- Legal Aid – Nonprofits providing free legal assistance may help negotiate bills for low-income patients.
- Crowdfunding – Creating an online fundraiser can help cover medical costs through donations.
Don’t assume a hospital bill is final. Seek expert assistance from financial counselors, immigrant aid groups, and advocates to understand charges and bargain down inflated bills. Most hospitals are willing to work with patients who make the effort.
Understanding payment options is vital so immigrants do not avoid seeking care when sick due to concerns about affordability.
Finding the Right Hospital
Not all hospitals are identical. When looking for a hospital, consider:
- Location and distance from your home
- Size – major medical centers have more resources but community hospitals offer personal care
- Religious or non-religious affiliation
- Reputation, ratings, and accreditations – find online reviews and quality ratings
- Services – does the hospital have the specialty departments to treat your needs?
- Accepts your insurance coverage
Visiting hospital websites and even touring a facility near you can help you decide where to go for top-notch care when needed.
Options for Non-Emergency Medical Care
For less severe health issues, hospital care may be overkill. There are more affordable options immigrants can consider instead, including:
Walk-in Clinics – Found in stores and pharmacies, these treat minor conditions like flu, rashes, UTIs. Often staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Urgent Care Centers – Freestanding facilities for conditions needing prompt attention like sprains, cuts, and asthma attacks. Doctors and nurses are on staff. They often have extended hours and are open on weekends.
Doctor’s Office – Your primary care doctor can treat many common illnesses and non-critical injuries by appointment.
Telehealth – Services like phone or video doctor visits are convenient for basic concerns when you can’t go in person.
Public Health Clinic – Low-cost clinics serving uninsured patients on sliding fee scales based on income.
While serious medical issues should go to the hospital, knowing options like these for non-emergencies can help immigrants access affordable care and avoid excessive hospital bills. Seeking treatment in the right medical setting saves money.
Hospitals Are Essential for Quality Health Care
Modern hospitals have the staffing, technology, and resources to diagnose and treat severe illnesses and complex injuries. While no one wants to be hospitalized, understanding their role equips immigrants to benefit from their services.
Hospitals provide lifesaving medicine and critical interventions that cannot be delivered in an outpatient setting. Becoming familiar with how they operate removes some of the uncertainty immigrants may feel about utilizing them.
