Claire Dawson
Hospitals in the United States can be classified in several ways, including by size, location, and ownership. As of 2023, there were 6,093 hospitals in the US, according to the American Hospital Association. Of these, 5,250 were acute care and critical access hospitals, and 951 were public community hospitals. The number of public community hospitals is declining as financial pressures force them to close or become part of a private system. Rural hospitals, which make up 65% of community hospitals, are typically small, with 100 or fewer beds, and have small budgets. They are more likely to be designated Critical Access Hospitals, which have fewer than 25 beds and are located at least 35 miles from another hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of hospitals in the US | 6,093 |
| Total number of federal hospitals in the US | 207 |
| Total number of public community hospitals in the US | 951 |
| Total number of acute care and critical access hospitals in the US | 5,250 (as of 2020) |
| Total number of hospitals with 100 or fewer beds | Majority of rural hospitals |
| Total number of hospitals with under 100 to over 500 beds | Majority of urban hospitals |
| Total number of hospitals in the US (including privately owned and owned by federal, state, or local governments) | 13,944 (as of the third quarter of 2019) |
| Total number of hospital employees in the US | 6.6 million (as of September 2019) |
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What You'll Learn
There are 6,093 hospitals in the US
There are 6,093 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). These hospitals can be divided into categories based on various factors such as size, location, demographics, finances, and affiliation. Acute care hospitals, which make up the majority at 88%, provide short-term care for illnesses, diseases, injuries, or surgeries. On the other hand, long-term care hospitals cater to chronic illnesses, rehabilitation, and psychiatric care.
The number and distribution of hospitals vary across different states and regions. In 2019, the national ratio was approximately 50 people per hospital employee, with Puerto Rico, Utah, Nevada, and California having the highest ratios. However, the ratio of people to hospitals varies significantly by state, with New Jersey having the highest ratio of 49,073 people per hospital and the District of Columbia having the lowest.
The geographic location of a hospital also influences its characteristics. Urban hospitals, which account for 65% of community hospitals, are typically larger and serve densely populated areas, often with multiple hospitals in close proximity. In contrast, rural hospitals tend to be smaller, with 100 or fewer beds, and are located outside major metropolitan areas. They serve a higher proportion of Medicare and Medicaid patients and are more likely to be designated as Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), which have fewer than 25 beds and are located at least 35 miles from another hospital.
Federal, state, and local governments operate hospitals, with 207 federal hospitals and 951 public community hospitals in the US. However, the number of public community hospitals is declining due to financial pressures. Hospitals play a crucial role in providing essential services, treating the seriously ill and injured, caring for new mothers and their babies, and performing surgeries.
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700 counties had no hospitals in 2020
As of 2023, there were 6,093 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association. This number includes government hospitals, hospitals in each state, and hospital beds. However, in 2020, there were 700 counties in the United States with no hospitals. This lack of access to healthcare facilities is a significant issue for many Americans, particularly in rural areas.
The United States has seen dozens of hospitals close in rural areas, especially in the southeast, between 2010 and 2020. This has left many counties without a hospital, forcing residents to travel long distances to receive medical care. The closures have also put a strain on the remaining hospitals in the region, potentially leading to overcrowding and longer wait times.
County hospitals are defined as hospitals with an average length of stay of 30 or more days. They are often nonfederal long-term care hospitals, such as prison hospitals or school infirmaries. The lack of county hospitals in 700 counties in 2020 highlights the disparities in access to healthcare across the United States.
While some counties may have other types of hospitals, such as psychiatric or teaching hospitals, the absence of county hospitals can still create challenges for residents requiring prolonged medical care or facing financial barriers to accessing private healthcare alternatives. It is crucial for policy-makers and healthcare administrators to address this issue to ensure equitable access to essential healthcare services for all Americans, regardless of their geographical location.
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5,250 acute care and critical access hospitals
As of 2020, there were 5,250 acute care and critical access hospitals in the United States. Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are hospitals that are currently participating in the Medicare program and have a current license to operate as an acute care hospital. CAHs must be located in rural areas, which are defined as any area outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area as outlined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), or an area treated as rural by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
CAHs must also meet specific distance criteria: they must be more than a 35-mile drive on primary roads from another hospital, or more than a 15-mile drive from another hospital in an area with mountainous terrain or only secondary roads. CAHs must maintain no more than 25 inpatient beds, which can be used for inpatient or swing-bed services, and must maintain an annual average length of stay of 96 hours or less per patient for acute inpatient care.
CAHs are required to furnish 24-hour emergency care services 7 days a week and demonstrate compliance with the CAH Conditions of Participation (CoPs), which are assessed through observations, interviews, and document/record reviews. The survey process focuses on a CAH's performance of organizational and patient-focused functions and processes to ensure that patients receive safe and quality care.
In addition to the 5,250 acute care and critical access hospitals, there are a total of 6,093 hospitals in the United States, including government hospitals, hospitals in each state, and long-term care hospitals. Long-term care hospitals are defined as hospitals with an average length of stay of 30 or more days.
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207 federal hospitals
Hospitals in the United States can be classified in a variety of ways depending on their size, location, demographics, finances, and affiliations. There are 6,093 hospitals in the country, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). The AHA's 2023 annual survey includes data on the number of government hospitals, the number of hospitals in each state, and the number of hospital beds.
Federal hospitals are those run by the federal government, including the Veteran's Administration hospitals and clinics, as well as hospitals operated by the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. There are 207 federal hospitals in the United States as of 2022.
Nonfederal hospitals, on the other hand, include psychiatric hospitals, tuberculosis hospitals, and long-term and short-term general hospitals. As of 2022, there were 5,923 nonfederal hospitals in the US.
Community hospitals, which make up the majority of hospitals at 88%, are defined as nonfederal, short-term general, and other specialty hospitals. They include academic medical centres or teaching hospitals, but exclude hospitals not accessible to the general public, such as prison hospitals.
The classification of hospitals is important as it helps consumers understand the context of the hospitals they choose from. It also helps to highlight the changes occurring in American healthcare, with pressures to lower costs, increase transparency in charges, and improve patient outcomes.
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951 public community hospitals (this number is declining)
There are 951 public community hospitals in the US, a number that is currently declining. This decline is particularly evident in rural areas, where dozens of hospitals have closed in the last decade.
Public hospitals are owned by a government entity, such as a city, county, or state. They are funded by tax dollars and are typically non-profit organizations. These hospitals provide essential services to the communities they serve, including emergency care, maternity services, and specialized medical procedures.
For example, the Riverside Community Hospital in California offers a range of medical services to Riverside County and the Inland Empire, including weight loss, orthopedic, and cardiovascular care. The hospital has been recognized for its advanced perinatal care, providing patient-centered prenatal and postpartum services. Additionally, Riverside utilizes multiple robotic surgical systems to assist surgeons in performing a wide range of procedures.
Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, is another example of a comprehensive healthcare organization serving its community. As part of the Colorado West Healthcare System, it is a Level III Trauma Center offering full outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient care for the Western Slope region of Colorado and eastern Utah. The hospital provides a wide range of services, including medical oncology, labor and delivery units, orthopedic care, and primary care.
These hospitals play a crucial role in ensuring access to healthcare services for people across the nation, and their decline can have significant impacts on the well-being of their respective communities.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 6,093 hospitals in the United States.
There are 951 public community hospitals in the US, though this number is declining. Of the 3,143 county-equivalents in the US, 700 counties had no hospitals as of 2020.
There are 207 federal hospitals in the US.
A community hospital is any hospital that is not federal and serves a local community. They can be urban or rural and vary in size.
In 2019, there were 23,540 people per hospital in the US.
