Hospitalization

/ˌhɑːspɪtələˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The act or process of admitting someone to a hospital for medical treatment and care.

Etymology

From hospital (Latin hospitale, from hospis = guest/host) + -ization (suffix forming nouns). Hospitals were originally 'hospices' where guests were housed; the word evolved to mean medical centers.

Kelly Says

Insurance companies track 'hospitalization rates' because hospital stays are expensive—and studies show that where people live, their age, and their income level all dramatically affect hospitalization rates in surprising ways.

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