In the hospital, a system for providing supplies such as linens, drugs, food, and equipment to patient care areas.
A term coming into use as hospitals enter lines of business other than care of the sick and injured in an effort to obtain revenue from a variety of sources and remain solvent. The hospital is typically restructured in the process of diversification, and foundations, holding companies, and the like may result. The new “businesses” may be other health care enterprises such as home care or neighborhood health centers; they may also be other activities, such as offering its collection or public relations services to other clients.