Inpatient
What is an inpatient?
An inpatient is someone admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay, whether for a single night or an extended amount of time. Inpatient stays generally occur so physicians can monitor a patient more closely.
A person may be admitted as an inpatient for a variety of reasons:
- substantial monitoring of serious illnesses or medical issues
- complex surgeries
- rehabilitation services for psychiatric illnesses, severe injuries, or substance misuse
- childbirth
Inpatients may see a range of healthcare providers during their hospital stay, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, lab technicians, physician assistants, and pharmacists.
How do inpatients benefit from healthcare?
Inpatients enjoy closer monitoring of their health by remaining in a hospital facility, especially as they recover from a serious injury, illness, or procedure. This includes accurate and timely supervision of their prescribed medications while also monitoring vital signs to ensure a smooth recovery.
Medicare Part A pays for beneficiaries’ inpatient care with a single deductible for the first 60 days of care within a benefit period.