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What is an Infirmary?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An infirmary is a facility which cares for people who are sick, injured, or infirm. The capabilities of these facilities vary: some are set up like hospitals, capable of treating a wide range of conditions, while others provide more simple and basic medical care. When the term “infirmary” is used, most people think of a facility which offers a very simple level of care, like a nurse's office in a school, although some of the most famous hospitals in the world are also known as infirmaries, which can be confusing.

The word is derived from the Latin infirmus, which means “infirm.” Facilities which provide medical care have been available to humans for centuries, although the quality of that care has varied widely. Typically, an infirmary is attached to an institution like a school or prison, providing care for residents and employees of the organization. The availability of on-site care can make a facility safer and it may also appeal to people evaluating the facility's level of care.

An infirmary is any facility that provides patient care.
An infirmary is any facility that provides patient care.

When an infirmary is attached to an institution, it typically has a few beds for patients to rest in, along with cabinets of basic medical supplies like bandages, simple medications, and so forth. A nurse practitioner or lay nurse staffs the facility, providing simple care to people with very basic medical needs. In the event that more serious care is required, a doctor may be called for, or the patient may be transported elsewhere.

Some infirmities may have a few beds for those who are very ill.
Some infirmities may have a few beds for those who are very ill.

Some people also refer to these facilities as dispensaries, in a reference to the medications which are handed out by the staff. In some cases, people who attend an institution are required to hand over any prescriptions that they have to ensure that they are not abused. When they need their medications, they go to the infirmary to receive a measured dose from the nurse, who may supervise the administration of the medication to ensure that the patient takes it.

Staff in an infirmary may begin an examination with a check of a person's vitals.
Staff in an infirmary may begin an examination with a check of a person's vitals.

Famous hospitals which are known as infirmaries typically started out as small facilities offering basic care, and some of them are very old. Many such institutions started as simple services offered by concerned doctors or community organizations, and they grew into major medical institutions over time. Some of them continue to place a heavy focus on charitable work, since this was their original purpose.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

OeKc05

@cloudel – I know what you mean. “Infirmary” was the official term of our school nurse's office, but even the teachers didn't call it that.

If we were sick, they told us to go to the nurse. They knew that if they told a young child to go to the infirmary, the kid would be really confused.

However, the nurse had to send home a report with a child whenever she treated one, and the report would have the word “infirmary” at the top. This was my first experience with the term.

cloudel

When I went to college, the medical center on campus was referred to as an infirmary. I didn't know what it was at first, because I had never heard that word used to describe a medical office.

I read a sign that said that flu shots were being offered at the infirmary, and when I went in there, I saw that it looked just like a regular doctor's office. It had exam rooms that had jars on the counter filled with tongue depressors, swabs, and bandages, just like my doctor's office back home.

kylee07drg

I thought that all hospitals were infirmaries. I just assumed this was an outdated term for the word hospital.

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    • An infirmary is any facility that provides patient care.
      By: Andrew Gentry
      An infirmary is any facility that provides patient care.
    • Some infirmities may have a few beds for those who are very ill.
      By: Agence DER
      Some infirmities may have a few beds for those who are very ill.
    • Staff in an infirmary may begin an examination with a check of a person's vitals.
      By: Syda Productions
      Staff in an infirmary may begin an examination with a check of a person's vitals.
    • Registered nurses may find work at an infirmary.
      By: mario beauregard
      Registered nurses may find work at an infirmary.