List of hospitals in Pennsylvania facts for kids
This article is about hospitals in Pennsylvania, a state in the United States. It lists hospitals that are officially allowed to operate by the Pennsylvania Department of Health or are run by the Veterans Health Administration. This information comes from groups like the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).
In July 2018, Pennsylvania had 249 hospitals and VA facilities. Many of these, 148, were non-profit, meaning they use their earnings to improve the hospital. About 86 hospitals were for-profit, which means they aim to make money. There were also 15 public hospitals, owned by the government.
Across all these hospitals, there were 42,817 patient beds and 1,880 operating rooms. Most hospitals (156) were general acute hospitals, which treat common illnesses and injuries. Others included psychiatric hospitals (29), long-term acute care hospitals (22), and rehabilitation hospitals (21). The biggest hospital was UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside in Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is also the largest group of hospitals in the state, with 28 hospitals, over 7,000 beds, and 379 operating rooms.
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Understanding Hospitals in Pennsylvania
Hospitals are super important places where people go when they are sick or hurt. They have doctors, nurses, and special equipment to help you get better. In Pennsylvania, there are many different kinds of hospitals, each with a special job.
Types of Hospitals and What They Do
- General Acute Hospitals: These are the most common hospitals. They treat all sorts of sudden illnesses and injuries, like a broken bone or a bad infection. You might go here for surgery or to recover from a serious sickness.
- Psychiatric Hospitals: These hospitals help people with mental health challenges. They provide special care and support to help patients feel better and learn coping skills.
- Rehabilitation Hospitals: If someone has been very sick or had a serious injury, like a stroke or a car accident, they might go to a rehabilitation hospital. Here, they get physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other treatments to help them regain their strength and abilities.
- Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals: These hospitals are for patients who need a longer stay in the hospital, often for complex medical problems that require ongoing care.
- Specialty Hospitals: Some hospitals focus on one specific area, like children's hospitals, cancer centers, or eye hospitals. For example, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a famous specialty hospital just for kids.
Who Owns Pennsylvania's Hospitals?
Hospitals in Pennsylvania are owned and run in different ways:
- Non-Profit Hospitals: Most hospitals in Pennsylvania are non-profit. This means they don't try to make money for owners. Instead, any money they earn goes back into the hospital to improve patient care, buy new equipment, or fund research.
- For-Profit Hospitals: These hospitals are owned by companies or investors who aim to make a profit. They still provide great care, but their goal is also to earn money for their owners.
- Public Hospitals: These hospitals are owned and run by the government, either the state or the federal government. Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals are a good example; they specifically care for military veterans.
Big Names in Pennsylvania Hospitals
Some hospital systems in Pennsylvania are very large and have many locations:
- UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center): This is the biggest health system in Pennsylvania. They have many hospitals across the state, offering a wide range of medical services.
- Jefferson Health: Another large health system, especially in the Philadelphia area, with several hospitals.
- Allegheny Health Network (AHN): A major health system in Western Pennsylvania, also with many hospitals.
- Penn State Health: Connected to Penn State University, this system includes the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, a leading academic hospital.
- Lehigh Valley Health Network: A significant health system in the eastern part of the state.
New Hospitals Being Built
Pennsylvania is always growing, and sometimes new hospitals are needed. Here are some new hospitals that were planned or being built as of August 2019:
- In Milford Township, a new general hospital was planned by St. Luke's University Health Network.
- Allegheny Health Network opened several smaller general hospitals in places like Brentwood, Hempfield Township, Harmar Township, and McCandless.
- Penn State Health planned new hospitals in Hampden Township and Hempfield Township (Lancaster County).
- The Children's Hospital Foundation opened a specialty hospital for kids in King of Prussia.
- UPMC also had plans for new general and specialty hospitals in Jefferson Hills and Pittsburgh.
See also
- List of hospitals in Philadelphia
- List of hospitals in Pittsburgh
