What Is the Difference Between Hospitals and Medical Centers?

Are you wondering if there is a difference between a hospital and a medical center? If yes, this article is for you. To answer your question, there are many differences between the two healthcare facilities even though they have the common goal of providing healthcare services to patients. 

To fully understand the differences between these two, one must understand the idea behind each one and its functions. 

Also Know: Four Types of Child Care Centers.

What is a Medical Center?

Another word commonly used for Medical Center is Clinic. Medical Centers are usually small and with an exclusive number of resources. They are mostly constructed to admit about 5 to 6 patients at once. Most Medical Centers do not have specialized laboratories to carry out some tests. Such tests, if requested by a doctor, are done from commercial laboratories. Although they always have dispensaries, not all drugs are available there. Thus, you may need to get drugs that are not on their list from other places. 

Most Medical Centers have a closing time. In a Medical Center, patients who are admitted to the facility have nurses assigned to them. Should an emergency arise, nurses will need to put a call through to the doctor. If you’re considering paying a visit to the clinic, you will need to book an appointment. A perfect example of a medical center is the Partida Corona Medical Center. 

What is a Hospital?

Hospitals are usually big with large numbers of rooms. They usually have different facilities, and you can request the service of a doctor at any time. Virtually all hospitals have inbuilt laboratories such that any test requested by the doctor can be carried out within the premises of the hospital.

Unlike medical centers, you can find your way into the hospital for an emergency at any time of the day. Be it in the morning or at night. A hospital runs a 24 hours service. If you need to visit the hospital, you don’t need to book an appointment. 

Common Types of Healthcare Facilities

The health care system is a combination of different facilities consisting of insurance plans, experts, technologies, etc. Those in charge of the running of these facilities are referred to as administrators. These various facilities work hand in hand to offer outstanding healthcare services to the people. 

Outpatient Clinic

An outpatient clinic is a facility mainly for patients in need of short-term care. Oftentimes, patients discharged from the hospital are always directed to outpatient clinics for a full recovery. Services offered by outpatient clinics include; alcohol rehabilitation, weight loss, drug rehabilitation, etc. 

Generally, outpatient clinics are usually more affordable than hospitals. Also, they are usually more convenient and of proximity to the patient’s home when compared to a hospital. As such, patients can have access to quality health care services.

Long-Term Care Facilities

These are for people with ongoing health conditions, disabilities, or long-term recovery. They focus on helping patients carry out daily activities needed to attain full recovery. Depending on the patient’s health status, they can either be taken care of by homemaker services or home health aides. Some independent patients can be housed in community and assisted living facilities, while dependent ones are housed in nursing home facilities.

General Clinic

These healthcare facilities primarily provide treatment and diagnostic services to all kinds of patients before they meet a specialist. Most of the medical professionals found in a general clinic are those focused on internal medicine.  

Clinical Laboratory

Clinical laboratories carry out diagnostic tests requested by the doctors. These tests are carried out by analyzing specimens in stools, blood, sputum, and saliva. Technicians run tests to aid complete diagnosis of ailments and diseases. 

Some clinical laboratories are known to run general tests, while some are for specialized purposes. An example of a specialized clinical laboratory is a cancer clinic that carries out disease-specific tests.

Hospice

Hospices are centers that take care of patients with terminal diseases, which means those nearing the end of life. These centers always consist of nurses, doctors, medics, counselors, and spiritual advisors who can help patients and their families in these last stages of life.  Hospice service can be accessed either at a hospice center, patient’s home, or community facilities. 

Now that you know the difference between a medical center and a hospital, and the different types of health facilities, finding the right health care facility to get treatment for you and your loved ones shouldn’t be complex.