The hospital experience depicted in "A Gambler's Anatomy" by Jonathan Lethem emphasizes a sense of monotony punctuated by medical routines. The repetitive nature of checking vital signs and managing bodily care highlights the tediousness of a hospital stay. This underscores the draining experience patients undergo, marked by the constant cycle of procedures that strip away normalcy.

Additionally, the novel illustrates the disruption of time as day morphs into night through the changing of nursing shifts. This cycle not only affects the patient but also reflects the impersonal nature of hospital care. The routine elements serve to emphasize the stark reality of life in a healthcare setting, where personal discomfort and the mechanical processes of treatment collide.