Inpatient Procedure
What is an inpatient procedure?
An inpatient procedure is a medical procedure performed with the expectation that the patient will remain in the hospital for at least one night. This time spent at the hospital after the procedure allows the medical team to monitor the patient’s recovery.
Some types of inpatient procedures include:
- hysterectomy
- coronary artery bypass graft
- total hip/knee replacement
- open heart surgery
- major abdominal surgery
- brain surgery
- lung procedures
Those who are considered risky surgical candidates, often because of comorbidities such as COPD or diabetes, are also more likely to stay in the hospital following their procedure.
While at the hospital after the procedure, nurses help the patients follow the activity, diet, and medication prescribed by the surgeon, and patients review home-care instructions with a medical professional before going home to ensure they understand instructions involving bandages, medications, activity restrictions, and any follow-up appointments.
Inpatients are often recommended to have various legal forms completed, such as a Living Will, Advanced Directive, and/or Power of Attorney.
Why are inpatient procedures important for healthcare?
Inpatient procedures are more serious and involve procedures intended to treat a condition, manage symptoms, or cure a disease. As such, they are crucial for improving patient health and well-being.
Still, inpatient procedures are generally riskier, which is why patients are required to remain in the hospital following the procedure to receive greater care and attention as they begin the recovery process.