HomeHealth articlesinpatient and outpatient careWhat Is an Inpatient and Outpatient Care?

Inpatient and Outpatient Care

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Health care services are available as inpatient and outpatient services. Read the below article for a detailed overview.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat

Published At January 17, 2023
Reviewed AtJune 15, 2023

Introduction-

Inpatient service is a procedure that requires a patient to get admitted to the hospital. This is important as necessary procedures require close monitoring by healthcare personnel. Also, the post-recovery period is essential in such cases.

The outpatient procedure means a patient does not require hospital admission and can be treated outside the hospital. Patients who are not critical are treated under the doctor's advice in outpatient service. These procedures or treatments do not require an overnight stay in the hospital. The patient's condition, doctors, and hospitals decide the need for an inpatient or outpatient service.

What Is Inpatient Care?

Inpatient care refers to medical services that are carried out in a hospital. It requires admission into a hospital or healthcare clinic. Patients who require overnight stay for medical observation and those with serious illnesses, life-threatening diseases, or medical emergencies require inpatient care. These patients generally require continuous monitoring by physicians and nurses.

What Are the Types of Inpatient Care?

Types of impatiens care to include the following:

  • Complex Surgeries- Complicated surgeries that require recovery and observation for several days under the watchful eyes of medical professionals. Some examples include organ transplantation or bypass surgeries of the heart or gastric organs.

  • Pregnancy- Labor pain can last from an hour to more than a day. Sometimes, a cesarean section is required to ensure both the mother's and newborn's safety. Cases of labor pain or cesarean section require an overnight hospital stay for a few days.

  • Serious Health Problems- Patients with severe health conditions who need constant monitoring from health care professionals require inpatient care, as it is only possible at a hospital. Patients experiencing seizures, those requiring intubation, and in a coma require inpatient care.

What Are the Different Inpatient Care Facilities?

Various types of facilities provide inpatient care, including:

  • Acute Care Facilities- An acute care facility provides inpatient services for acute conditions, short-term illnesses, or surgery services for injuries.

  • Addiction Treatment Facilities- Addiction treatment facilities provide round-the-clock care to people suffering from drug abuse, addiction, or alcoholism. They are always available and provide the required emotional support to patients. They also keep them away from outside triggers.

  • Rehabilitation Centers- An inpatient rehabilitation center supports recovering patients with stroke or brain injury.

  • Psychiatric Hospitals- Psychiatric hospitals aim at offering care to patients with suicidal tendencies due to severe depression or other mental conditions. They provide a safe environment for the patients to heal.

  • Long-Term Care Facilities- Long-term care facilities are intended for people who require constant care and cannot help themselves. These include assisted nursing facilities, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities.

What Is Outpatient Care?

An outpatient care facility does not require a patient to get admitted or stay overnight. The medical procedure can be done outside the hospital setup. Typically, outpatient care includes:

  • Procedures like a consultation for a physical examination.

  • Visiting a hospital for ongoing treatments like chemotherapy.

  • A laboratory test is done for the diagnosis of a condition.

Sometimes, a doctor may advise an outpatient to formally get admitted to the hospital in case of complications or additional medical needs. Then, the status changes to inpatient service. In a few patients who might require an overnight stay for simple care or observation, the doctor may not formally admit them, thereby, their status remaining as an outpatient.

What Are the Types of Outpatient Care?

Various types of outpatient care include:

  • Chest X-Rays and Computed Tomography Scans- These diagnostic procedures are done to diagnose the cause of chest pain, breathing problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and many other conditions.

  • Urinalysis- Urinalysis is a urine test that can determine the reasons for multiple health conditions, including kidney and bladder infections, and the parameters in diabetic patients.

  • Blood Tests- Blood tests are done to determine a range of factors that can diagnose conditions of the blood and heart and overall diagnosis of several health conditions.

What Are the Different Outpatient Care Facilities?

There are various types of facilities that provide outpatient care. Examples of a few outpatient care facilities include:

  • Clinics - The various outpatient services carried out in outpatient facilities range from

    • Wellness.

    • Prevention.

    • Weight loss programs.

    • Surgeries.

    • Chemotherapy.

  • Ambulatory Surgery Centers - Procedures like endoscopy, which do not require an overnight stay and are same-day procedures, come under ambulatory surgery centers.

  • Emergency Rooms - The emergency room is where a doctor can enable a patient to utilize outpatient services like minor surgeries, X-rays, or other diagnostic procedures, without requiring a hospital stay.

How Are Inpatient and Outpatient Services Similar?

Though there may be a variation regarding hospital admission, inpatient care services may intersect with outpatient services at different points. For example, a patient who may be admitted to the hospital for a major surgery comes under an inpatient care setting. In contrast, one who requires minor surgery and can be discharged the same day in less than 24 hours comes under an outpatient care setting. Also, patients requiring both kinds of surgeries may require similar tests and scans for a correct diagnosis.

What Factors Determine if a Patient Needs Inpatient or Outpatient Care?

Physicians treating the patient determine whether they require inpatient or outpatient care. Those with severe illnesses require critical care 24/7, and those undergoing major surgeries need admission into a hospital. On the other hand, patients who require minor surgeries or laboratory tests can be treated in an outpatient care facility.

What Is the Difference Between a Clinic and a Hospital?

  • Clinics: Clinics are different from hospitals. Clinics are smaller than hospitals and do not accommodate admissions. They are ideal for healthy patients who visit a doctor for a regular check-up or preventive care like vaccinations.

  • Hospitals: Hospitals offer a variety of medical services. They include both inpatient and outpatient care. They have different specialties, like cardiology, gynecology, urology, and neurology. Patients can schedule appointments with a primary care provider for non-emergency services and be referred to a specialist if necessary.

Conclusion:

The inpatient and outpatient categories depend on the patient's physical health, case severity, and the doctors who decide the category of inpatients and outpatients. It is the responsibility of the hospital and existing nurses, doctors, and staff to take care of the inpatient who needs extra care and monitoring of severe conditions of patients. Outpatients should be very attentive to the test timing and follow-up schedules as they are responsible for being very cautious about their health stability. If they notice any changes in health, they can immediately refer the patient to a hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How Are Inpatient and Outpatient Claims Distinguished?

An inpatient claim requires the patient to be admitted to the hospital. On the other hand, an outpatient claim requires a medical briefing from a qualified medical professional. An outpatient requires medical care without staying in the hospital, while an inpatient must stay there for treatment. 

2.

What Distinguishes Records for Inpatients From Those for Outpatients?

The basic difference between inpatient and outpatient records is the type of service provided. Inpatient records deal with patients who stay in the hospital for medical treatment. Outpatient records deal with patients not staying in the hospital for medical care. 

3.

What Are The Two Services Outpatient Offer?

The services offered by outpatient include diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. However, these might also be required outside the hospital or clinic. The healthcare professional would give them a prescription for the same.

4.

What Makes Outpatient Care Crucial?

The first line of contact a patient makes with the hospital is the outpatient care. It provides an entry for the patient to the healthcare facility. Hence, it is the first step towards healthcare and disease prevention.

5.

What Are the Drawbacks of Being an Inpatient?

Being an inpatient might require one to make necessary adjustments in their workplace. Some might require arrangements regarding their pets or children. The cost of the stay in the hospital can be an additional burden as healthcare is expensive.

6.

What Other Names Do Outpatient Services Go By?

Outpatient care is also called ambulatory care. It is the first line of contact a patient makes with the hospital. It provides patients with access to healthcare facilities.

7.

What Are Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation?

In inpatient rehabilitation, the patient is visited by the healthcare professional in the hospital. On the other hand, in outpatient rehabilitation, the patient pays a visit to the healthcare professional in their clinic or hospital. They would have to wait for their specific turns to meet the specialist.

8.

What Are CPT Codes?

CPT code stands for Current Procedural Terminology. It is commonly used for outpatient services. They also mention inpatient services or the services provided when a patient is admitted and discharged on the same day.

9.

In What Ways Does Hospitalization Pose Risks?

Studies show that hospitalized seniors lose about five percent of their muscle strength. The lack of physical activity during bed rest increases the risk of bone fractures, stiffness of the muscles, and contractures. The increase in the risk of infections is another adverse effect. 
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Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat
Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat

Family Physician

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