Final answer:
Hospitals are classified based on number of beds, services provided, patient type, profit orientation, and if they are a private hospital, non-profit, or government agency. These classifications affect their operations and care delivery, which is also shaped by the health financing systems like fee-for-service or HMOs.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are five ways hospitals are classified: Number of beds, type of services provided, type of patients served, whether they are for-profit or not-for-profit, and the fifth classification is whether the institution is a private hospital, a non-profit health organization, or a governmental agency like Health and Social Services. These classifications help to differentially gauge service offerings, potential outreach, and the operational framework within which the hospital operates. In considering these classifications, one should also take into account the health financing systems in place, such as fee-for-service or health maintenance organizations (HMOs), as they can impact how care is provided and funded.