As many members of society are rapidly aging and many more struggle with a vast range of debilitating injuries and conditions, the need for both inpatient and outpatient care has arguably never been more critical. But what is the difference between inpatient and outpatient care, and why is that distinction so crucial to understand? Below, our medical specialists from OptiMed Hospitalists will explore the answers to these essential questions, so please continue to learn more. Also, please consider reading through our wide selection of other educational resources to access additional information.
Related: How Healthy is America Compared to Other Countries?
What is Inpatient Care
In short, inpatient care is medical care provided within a hospital or another type of inpatient facility. Medical personnel formally admit patients and spend one or more nights depending on their unique needs and condition. During inpatient care;
- Patients are under the direct care of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals within the inpatient facility.
- Patients require continual medicine, monitoring, care, and medical treatment by around-the-clock medical staff.
- Patients may go through surgery, childbirth, and treatment for things like traumatic injuries, illnesses, mental health issues, and substance abuse disorders.
Those receiving inpatient treatment are usually admitted to a specific service, such as general surgery, oncology, neurology, or others, depending on what patients need treatment for. Once medical professionals decide a patient no longer requires inpatient care, they are discharged from the facility and given specific instructions to follow regarding medications, restricted activities, and more.
What is Outpatient Care
In contrast to inpatient care, outpatient care is the kind of care that patients can receive without being admitted to a hospital or other medical facility. Alongside annual check-ups and blood tests, almost any other type of care can be defined as an outpatient and typically involve different treatments, diagnostic tests, and basic procedures. Outpatient care is typically provided at various locations, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient surgery centers, and walk-in clinics.
Related: Why You Shouldn’t Drink While Taking Antibiotics
What Determines Whether You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Care
Whether or not a patient requires inpatient or outpatient care is usually determined by medical professionals and depends on the type of treatment that a patient needs. Things like intensive, around-the-clock care, major surgeries, and treatment for dangerous illnesses require the use of inpatient care. In contrast, basic procedures, medical tests, and minor surgeries that don’t typically require an overnight stay in a medical facility only require outpatient care.
At OptiMed Hospitalists, our medical experts fully understand the importance of providing people with the best possible inpatient care. Our teams of highly-trained medical staff are 100% dedicated to providing effective, innovative, and engaging solutions that prove our passion for serving others.
Examples of Inpatient and Outpatient Care
People receive a wide range of treatments and services during inpatient or outpatient care. Below are some of the most common examples of what’s provided within each type of care.
Inpatient Care
Some examples of things that are treated during inpatient care include;
- Traumatic injuries
- Serious illnesses and conditions, like the flu, heart attacks, or strokes
- Severe burns
- Severe mental health issues
- Overdoses and substance use disorders
- Specific cosmetic procedures, including reconstruction and plastic surgery
- Chronic diseases like cancer
Outpatient Care
Some examples of things that are treated during outpatient care include;
- Long-term illnesses that require continual treatment sessions like chemotherapy and dialysis
- Certain medical screenings, like colonoscopies, endoscopies, and mammograms
- Minor surgeries that don’t require intensive care, like mole removal, Lasik eye surgery, and hand or foot surgery
- Oral surgeries and other types of dental procedures, such as root canals, gum grafts, and extractions
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care: The Providers
Though primary care physicians are often considered outpatient providers and specialists are thought of as inpatient providers, this idea is too oversimplified. Hospitals bridge the gap between the care given to inpatients and outpatients, and many doctors work together to provide the care that all patients need to recover. Additionally, many physicians divide their time between inpatient and outpatient care.
In general, however, inpatients receive care from and interact with a larger group of providers, ranging from regular physicians and nurse practitioners to lab techs, pharmacists, and physical therapists.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care: Costs
Outpatient care involves different fees related to the doctor a patient sees and the tests they perform and is typically much less expensive than inpatient care due to the lack of facility-based fees. According to research from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the average cost for inpatient services varies considerably depending on many factors, from the length of a patient’s stay and their treatments to the kind of insurance they have.
Related: The Dangers of Taking Expired Medication
Itemized Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care
We’ve provided many details above on the critical differences between inpatient vs. outpatient care. To help make things easier to remember, here is an itemized list of the key differences you’ll want to remember between these two types of medical care.
- Hospitalized patients are called inpatients, and patients who aren’t hospitalized are called outpatients.
- An impatient ailment is usually life-threatening or critical, while outpatient conditions are typically minor and allow the patient to recuperate at home.
- Inpatient care is much more expensive for a range of reasons, including facility fees and the requirement for more intensive treatments.
- Impatiens need to be sanctioned by a surgeon or doctor, but outpatients can get care from nurses and clinic authorities.
- The time limit to be considered an inpatient is more than 24 hours, and anything less than 20 hours or a night is considered outpatient services.
Final Thoughts
Our medical experts from OptiMed Hospitalists hope that the above information has helped you better understand the essential differences between inpatient and outpatient care and the critical roles that both play within healthcare. Please explore our website today to learn about our story, the various inpatient services we provide to different medical facilities, and much more!
Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals struggle to keep up with the growing demands of a rapidly aging population, especially with so many medical professionals now leaving the workforce. Thankfully, our team of highly-qualified medical experts at OptiMed Hospitalists are here to help!