Difference between Hospital and Hospitality

Key Difference: Hospital and hospitality are totally different from each other. A hospital is usually referred to as a medical treatment center. It is a heath care organization that is largely managed by professional physicians, surgeons and nurses. On the other hand, hospitality is a place where one can see the connection between a host and a server.

Hospital and hospitality sounds somewhat similar, but both the terms are the different sides of a line. They take care of people, however in a different manner. Let’s understand both the terms in the following context.

According to Dictionary.com, the term ‘hospital’ is defined as:

An institution in which sick or injured persons are given medical or surgical treatment.
A similar establishment for the care of animals.
A repair shop for specific portable objects: violin hospital; doll hospital.
British - An institution supported by charity or taxes for the care of the needy, as an orphanage or old people's home.

A hospital is usually referred to as a medical treatment facility. A hospital can be a private or public sector building where patients are admitted for treatment. It is a health care organization, which provides patients with treatment by expert staff and equipment. Hospital was derived from the Latin word ‘hospes’ or ‘hospitalis’, meaning ‘hospitable’. It is largely managed by professional physicians, surgeons and nurses. People admitted to a hospital require acute medical services. It is a 24 hour health center where patients get admitted for treatment of various diseases.

According to Dictionary.com, the term ‘hospitality’ is defined as:

The friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.
The quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

Hospitality is the connection between a host and a server. It simply means treating your guests or even complete strangers as close friends. For the last so many years, in fact, centuries has gone but the practice of hospitable, that is the greeting and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, with bigheartedness and goodwill is still going on. The word hospitality was also derived from the Latin word ‘hospes’, which is formed from hostis, which originally meant a ‘stranger’. Hospitality for everyone is a very challenging task, always. Helping anyone on the road, for example giving them food or water is the sign of hospitality.

Hospitality management is a place of study that focuses with the management of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and other associations in the hospitality industry. One needs to have lots of good interpersonal skills and a quick understanding of marketing.

Comparison between Hospital and Hospitality:

	Hospital	Hospitality
Description	A hospital is usually referred to as a medical treatment center. It is a heath care organization and is largely managed by professional physicians, surgeons and nurses.	Hospitality is the relationship between a guest and a host. Hospitality is the business of helping people to feel welcomed and relaxed and to enjoy themselves.
Origin	Latin word ‘hospes’ or ‘hospitalis’, meaning ‘hospitable’.	Latin word ‘hospes’, formed from ‘hostis’ which originally meant a ‘stranger’.
Synonyms	Medical center, health center, clinic, sanatorium, hospice, infirmary.	Neighborliness, accommodation, companionship, friendliness, generosity, reception, kindness.
Term	Short-term	It can be short-term and long-term
Duration	24 hours	Depends, for how long the guests are going to stay.
Types	General hospitals – set to deal with many kinds of diseases and injury District hospitals – for intensive care and long-term care Specialized hospitals – it includes trauma centers, rehabilitation hospitals, seniors’ hospitals, etc. Teaching hospitals – medical students and nurses assist patients	Different types of hospitality jobs: Hotels Restaurants Vacation destinations Event planning services
Visit	Usually, a family member or relative cannot visit a patient at anytime. There is a particular time when visitors can visit.	Usually, there is no time for hospitality. A guest can arrive at any time, any place.