Inpatient Care
What is inpatient care?
Inpatient care is the delivery of healthcare services within an inpatient facility, such as a hospital. In contrast to outpatient care, patients receiving inpatient care spend at least one night in a facility once admitted to a specialty department, like general surgery or cardiology. Inpatient care can be either planned or unplanned, and once healthcare providers treat patients, they discharge them with follow-up care instructions.
Some common reasons for inpatient care include:
- Childbirth
- Mental health
- Illness
- Chronic conditions
- Surgery
- Traumatic injury
- Substance abuse
Healthcare providers who offer inpatient care include nurses and physicians. These professionals work 24/7 to treat, administer medicine and monitor patients.
Why is inpatient care important to healthcare?
Inpatient care is important because it provides a more intensive level of treatment and care for patients presenting with severe injury or illness. Since healthcare providers monitor inpatient patients around the clock, these patients receive direct support and a higher quality of treatment for an extended period.