Evolution of the Hospital Industry: A Comparative Analysis
“You’ve come a long way, Baby”, a quote from a 1968 cigarette advertisement, could
... [Show More] just
as easily be used to describe the evolution of the hospital industry. From its earliest incarnation
as a place to house society’s less desirable inhabitants to the multi-billion dollar, technologically
advanced behemoth it has become, the hospital industry has, in fact, come a long way.
Hospital Care Evolution
Hospitals in America began simply as a place to house the indigent and the unsavory, to
keep them from contaminating society. Through advances in science and technology over the
past two hundred years, hospitals have become “places of prestige and pride where scientific and
technological advancements have made miracles happen for many common ailments” (Zand,
2018).
Hospital Environment
Hospitals in America first emerged in the 1800’s as charitable institutions which provided
care for the poor and disabled as the affluent were cared for in their homes and protected from
those with contagious diseases (Youg, et al. 2018). These institutions were dirty and were
considered places the poor and mentally disabled would go to die (Zand, 2018). By the 1960’s,
with the introduction of hospital insurance and outside accreditation, hospitals began the
transition into the diversified, patient focused institutions they would become. Hospitals today
are incredibly complex systems which are divided between long term care facilities, teaching
hospitals, community care and specialty hospitals.
Staff Education
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In the earliest days of the American hospital system, doctors were often not formally
educated, and hospital nurses were usually former prisoners or those who could not obtain other
work. By the 1960’s, physicians were required to complete a four-to-six-year medical degree and
to obtain licensure in order to practice medicine. Many nurses were certified through in-hospital
training programs. Nursing as a serious profession took a tremendous step forward in 1964 with
the passage of the Nurse Training Act. This act allocated government money to establish
professional nurse training schools (University of Pennsylvania, 2018). Today, physicians,
nurses, technicians and allied health providers are generally highly specialized, trained and
licensed. Health care providers are required to obtain educations ranging from one to twelve
plus years depending on the level of licensure required. [Show Less]