Question

What is the difference between out-patient and in-patient care? Explain

Answer 1

Care to the patient whoever come to hospital is important and it can be classified under two categories, inpatient and out patient care.

Inpatient care means any type of care we provide to a patient who is admitted in the hospital, without considering day or night.Outpatient care is the care given to not formally admitted to hospitals.In outpatient service person who is referred by general practitioner to a specialist for future assessment and diagnosis.

The major difference in Inpatient and outpatient care is the time span ,howlong a patient stay in the hospital and for what procedure and assessment.

To cite an example for Inpatient care is patient admitted for

• Complex surgeries.
• Delivery of baby.
• Serious illness.

Outpatient care is to provide for patient like

• Blood work up
• Minor surgeries.
• Mammogram.
• Endoscopic.
• Routine physical examination.

Outpatient care is also known as ambulatory care.