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Types of Services Offered by Acute Care Hospitals

Acute care hospitals offer specialized care for emergency conditions, illnesses and injuries. These hospitals contain all of the necessary tools, machines and staff to treat patients with serious conditions. Patients in an acute care hospital are generally treated on a short-term basis and discharged as soon as they are deemed healthy and stable. Acute care hospitals can either be not-for-profit or for-profit.

  1. Non Life-Threatening Emergencies

    • There are more than 8,500 urgent care centers in the United States according to the Urgent Care Association of America. This type of acute care hospital provides emergency care services for walk-in patients and scheduled appointments. These facilities are equipped to provide the same treatment provided in an emergency room, but urgent care facilities are not appropriate if the patient has a life-threatening illness. Urgent care centers provide relief to the overcrowding within the nation's emergency rooms.

    Rehabilitation

    • Acute care hospitals provide rehabilitation for patients who have undergone surgery or are suffering an illness. Staff assists the patient with physical therapy, speech language therapy and occupational therapy. Patients who have suffered a stroke will relearn language and everyday tasks while in rehabilitation. Patients who have undergone a knee surgery will undergo physical therapy to regain motion and strength within the knee. Rehabilitation for caregivers is also available at some acute care hospitals. This service provides education and support for friends or family members who are taking care of an ailing loved one.

    Long-Term Care

    • While acute care hospitals generally focus on providing short-term care there are also acute care hospitals designed to provide extended care. These hospitals provide physical and occupational, respiratory, physical and speech therapy. Other services include dialysis, radiation and cardiac monitoring. A patient suffering from kidney disease may consider going to a long-term acute care hospital for dialysis treatment.

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