A private hospital is a place for intensive care and short or long-term medical treatment open to all sorts of patients, which is operated by a private organization - not by a government, university, or other educational institution. A large percentage of hospitals in many countries fall under this category. Hospitals run by religious organizations and charitable institutions are included here.

The operating organization is private and neither governmental nor an educational institution. Religious and charitable operators are included.

Private operation does not imply that the hospital treats only a narrow patient group. The definition retains general care and the possibility of short or long stays.