what is inpatient vs outpatient?

Medical treatments and surgeries can be categorized into inpatient and outpatient procedures. For patients, it’s important to understand the difference between these two types of care, because they impact the length of a patient’s stay in a medical facility and the cost of a procedure.

The difference between an inpatient and outpatient care is how long a patient must remain in the facility where they have the procedure done.

Inpatient care requires overnight hospitalization. Patients must stay at the medical facility where their procedure was done (which is usually a hospital) for at least one night. During this time, they remain under the supervision of a nurse or doctor.

Patients receiving outpatient care don’t need to spend a night in a hospital. They're free to leave the doctor’s office, outpatient clinic or hospital once the procedure is over. Sometimes, they need to wait while anesthesia wears off or to make sure there aren’t any complications. As long as there aren’t any serious complications, though, patients don’t have to spend the night being supervised.

Not spending one or more nights in a medical facility has two main benefits for patients.

First, patients are able to recover in the comfort of their own home. Instead of remaining in an uncomfortable bed and sterile room, they can find a comfortable position on their couch, chair or bed and enjoy an activity of their choice. They even can enjoy their own food rather than hospital food. (Of course, any activity or food must not contradict restrictions that are given by a healthcare provider.)

Generally speaking, inpatient care requires you to stay in a hospital and outpatient care does not.

In this medical article, readers will find answers to 12 frequently asked questions about the similarities and differences between outpatient and inpatient medical care, facilities, physicians and costs.

Quick Navigation Links to 12 FAQs about Inpatient vs Outpatient

The main difference between inpatient care and outpatient care is that a patient receiving inpatient care will stay overnight in the hospital, whereas a patient receiving outpatient care will not stay overnight in the hospital. To further explain, inpatient and outpatient, refer to the location and or type of practice in which patients receive their medical care. This includes where treatments are conducted, where procedures take place, and where the patients go for their appointments. Generally, inpatient care refers to medical care that occurs when a patient is admitted into the hospital, while outpatient refers to medical care that is received while a patient is not admitted into the hospital.

An outpatient facility is any sort of medical office or location that provides medical care to patients that are not currently admitted into the hospital or hospitalized. This term is usually used by referencing locations other than a hospital, such as a stand-alone primary care office. However, the term outpatient can even refer to medical care that occurs within the hospital, as long as the patient is not currently admitted into the hospital. Some medical providers have their offices located inside a hospital, where patients visit solely for their appointment. Some examples of outpatient care/outpatient facilities include:

Any of these scenarios can take place at a hospital or at a stand-alone doctor’s office, and still be considered outpatient care at an outpatient facility.

An inpatient facility describes a hospital or other similar location in which patients are admitted. This commonly means that patients have a designated room in the facility where they spend the night and receive around-the-clock medical care. A few examples of an inpatient facility/ inpatient hospital care include:

Yes, there are inpatient and outpatient physicians. However, there are also physicians who provide both inpatient and outpatient care. Outpatient physicians may treat patients in their clinic during appointments. Examples of outpatient physicians include:

However, many of the aforementioned doctors can also work as inpatient physicians. Inpatient physicians provide inpatient care for patients in the hospital where they are hospitalized. Examples of inpatient medical physicians include:

Hospitalists are one of the few medical specialties that only see patients who have been admitted to the hospital.

An inpatient medical treatment procedure is one in which the patient is hospitalized and spends the night in the hospital after their procedure or surgery. Inpatient medical procedures are commonly surgeries, which can range from a simple surgery requiring a single night stay in the hospital, to a complex surgery requiring multiple nights spent in the hospital. Some examples of inpatient care services may include:

An outpatient medical procedure is one in which the patient returns home at the end of the day. These medical procedures may take place at a hospital or an outpatient surgical center. Patients may also spend a portion of the day recovering in the medical center/outpatient facility from their procedure. However, patients return home and are not admitted for further medical care. Some examples of outpatient care procedures include:

Yes, there is a difference in costs between inpatient and outpatient care. Outpatient care is usually cheaper. This is due to several reasons. The first reason why outpatient care costs are higher is due to the amount of medical care that takes place in an outpatient vs inpatient facility. Usually, complex medical cases are admitted into the hospital for further inpatient care. Once hospitalized, there are a number of healthcare providers who will care for the patient including physicians, nurses, nurses aids, physician assistants etc. Additionally, more medical interventions may be required on inpatients than outpatients. Some examples of additional medical interventions an inpatient may require include:

Another reason why inpatient care is more expensive is due to the length of stay. As inpatients are more medically complex, it usually requires a longer length of treatment, lasting several days at least. On the other hand, outpatient care can last as short as 15 minutes for a clinic visit and will cost much less.

Yes, there is a big difference between inpatient versus outpatient surgery. These differences include the length of stay, location of surgery, the complexity of surgery, and even the costs of surgery. By definition, the difference between inpatient and outpatient surgery is whether the patient is hospitalized overnight after the medical procedure.

Outpatient surgeries are usually much less complicated than inpatient surgeries. This means that patients are discharged home after their procedure. Inpatient surgeries are more complex thus, patients must stay in the hospital to be monitored by health professionals. Since patients who undergo outpatient surgery do not need to be medically monitored for a long time after their procedure, the surgery can take place at a location away from a hospital. They usually take place at outpatient surgical centers which can be a stand-alone building or attached onto other medical clinics. Inpatient surgeries take place in operating rooms located within the hospital. This allows patients to directly be admitted into the hospital after their surgery. As outpatient surgeries require less time and medical care they usually have less expensive costs than inpatient surgeries.

Yes, all insurance plans, including Medicare, differentiate inpatient vs outpatient care services. Health insurance companies pay medical care providers directly or reimburse insured patients for their medical services. Since the complexity and type of medical care service vary between inpatient and outpatient care all insurance companies must differentiate between the two. It is important for all medical providers to understand medicare and health insurance.

When patients are critically ill, they are admitted into the hospital for inpatient care. Without the required health care received while admitted to the hospital, many patients would not survive their illnesses. Inpatient health care is thus vital in order to take care of the most ill of patients.

Although patients that receive outpatient care aren’t generally as sick as inpatients, the care is still very important. Regular outpatient health care is important to keep patients healthy. Without regular healthcare checkups and wellness exams, patients will more likely develop chronic and serious diseases and disorders.

There is no difference between Ambulatory care and Outpatient care. They are synonyms for the same type of medical care. They both refer to any type of healthcare that can be obtained without a patient being admitted into a hospital as an inpatient. A diagnostic test, treatment, office visit, rehabilitation services or other types of patient care such as preventive care can be included in this category and be called ambulatory care.Facilities for ambulatory care include clinics, medical offices, dialysis centers, surgical centers, prompt care/urgent care facilities, and outpatient departments of hospitals.

Now that you understand the similarities and differences in inpatient versus outpatient care and services, prospective medical students may be eager to pursue a career in and eventually become board-certified in one of the many specialties of medicine. While there are many careers available in medicine, the first step to becoming any type of specialist that works in inpatient or outpatient is to submit your application for your Doctor of Medicine degree from an accredited medical school like UMHS. Find out more about UMHS simply by clicking on the underlined link. The University of Medicine and Health Sciences School of Medicine

More than ever, patients are engaged in their medical care, which is encouraging when you consider most medical school mission statements emphasize patient communication and education. It’s also worth noting that research shows providers are able to drive positive patient outcomes using a teach-back method that involves caring and clear language. Yet even well-informed individuals lack some knowledge, such as the distinction between inpatient versus outpatient care.

So what’s the difference, and why does it matter? This overview can help you advance your health literacy.

What is an inpatient? In the most basic sense, this term refers to someone admitted to the hospital to stay overnight, whether briefly or for an extended period of time. Physicians keep these patients at the hospital to monitor them more closely.

With this in mind, what is outpatient care? Also called ambulatory care, this term defines any service or treatment that doesn’t require hospitalization. An annual exam with your primary care physician is an example of outpatient care, but so are emergent cases where the patient leaves the emergency department the same day they arrive. Any appointment at a clinic or specialty facility outside the hospital is considered outpatient care as well.

While there’s a clear difference between an inpatient and an outpatient, there is a little bit of gray area as well. Occasionally, physicians will assign a patient observation status while they determine whether hospitalization is required. This period typically lasts for no more than 24 hours.

Also note that the location itself doesn’t define whether you’re an inpatient versus outpatient. It’s the duration of stay, not the type of establishment, that determines your status.

You’re probably starting to get a sense of the varying circumstances that fit under each category. To further recognize the difference between inpatient and outpatient care, review the below treatments and services that are common for these two types of care.

Primary care physicians have traditionally been considered outpatient providers, while specialists are thought of as inpatient physicians. But that’s really an oversimplification, particularly when you consider that hospitalists bridge the gap by providing general medical care to inpatients. Effective care requires that doctors work together and effectively leverage health care technology, regardless of their specialties and settings.

Many physicians also divide their time between inpatient and outpatient services. OB/GYNs, for example, provide inpatient care when delivering babies and outpatient care when consulting with pregnant women during prenatal checkups.

Generally speaking, inpatients have contact with a larger group of providers. During a hospital stay, you could interact with physicians, nurse practitioners, lab technicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and physician assistants.

The difference between inpatient versus outpatient care matters for patients because it will ultimately affect your eventual bill.

Outpatient care involves fees related to the doctor and any tests performed. Inpatient care also includes additional facility-based fees. The most recent cost data included in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) shows the average national inpatient charges can vary considerably depending on the length of stay and the treatment involved. The exact amount you pay also hinges on your insurance.

Things get a little more complicated if you have Medicare. Outpatient care and physician-related services for inpatient care are covered by Part B. Hospital services like rooms, meals, and general nursing for inpatients are covered by Part A.

But if you stay overnight in the hospital under observation status, Medicare still considers you an outpatient and will not cover care in a skilled nursing facility. It can certainly be confusing, so don’t be afraid to ask the medical team about your status. They’re used to these types of questions.

• Rehabilitation services.
• Surgeries.
• Childbirth.
• Serious Illnesses that require a patient to be monitored overnight in a hospital.

Knowing the difference between inpatient and outpatient care is particularly important for someone thinking about purchasing a health plan, or for someone who simply wants to plan for unexpected medical costs that could potentially put them out of budget.

Inpatient care usually takes place in a hospital or a related facility that has been designed to provide care for patients who require an overnight stay. The duration of an inpatient’s stay can be anything from one night to several — this all depends on their condition, recovery requirements and recovery time. Patients receiving inpatient care are usually under close supervision from a team of medical staff including doctors, physicians and nurses. When in inpatient care, a person can expect the following:

Patients in inpatient care should wait for their doctor to confirm that they no longer require such a high level of care. At this point, the patient will be discharged from the hospital and given detailed discharge notes, which usually include instructions for follow-up appointments, prescription medicine requirements, and whether any additional services are needed.

Outpatient care is usually performed in medical facilities that are co-owned or linked closely to the local hospital. They are usually built to accommodate treatment and procedures that can be done within a day and which do not require an overnight stay. These can include walk-in clinics, dedicated outpatient surgery centers, and even sometimes a doctor’s office. There are also hospitals around the world that have their own, dedicated outpatient care facility. There may be circumstances where anesthesia is required as part of the procedure — if this is the case, the patient is usually asked to wait in the facility for the anesthesia to wear off.

Some of the reasons a patient might be offered outpatient care include:

Patients who receive outpatient care recover at home. They might be called back to their outpatient center for follow-up appointments with their doctor or physician.

One of the biggest advantages of outpatient care is that patients can recuperate in the comfort of their own homes. They can enjoy resting and recovering surrounded by their favorite things, people, and pets, with home-cooked food, and a good night’s sleep in their own bed. These conditions can make for a much better recovery time than unfamiliar and uncomfortable hospital beds, the noises of medical equipment, nearby patients, or lights on throughout the night.

Outpatient care is almost always less expensive than inpatient care, which is another huge advantage. One night of inpatient hospital care can increase the cost of treatment by thousands of dollars. Even patients with good health insurance coverage may benefit by opting for outpatient treatment over inpatient care. Studies have shown that the difference between inpatient vs outpatient surgery costs can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Even though inpatient care is usually more expensive than outpatient care, there should be no difference in the care a patient will receive. Sometimes a patient will be given the choice of receiving outpatient care rather than being admitted to the hospital. Other times, it is the doctor’s decision based on what is right for the patient’s treatment recuperation. If given the choice, patients do not need to worry that their care will differ if they elect for outpatient surgery. It will simply be less intensive.

It’s clear that inpatient vs outpatient care costs differ greatly. There are several reasons for this, many of which are linked to the costs associated with a patient’s physical stay in hospital. It isn’t just about the cost of the surgery or treatment. Inpatient costs can include:

Most of these costs are not incurred by patients who receive outpatient care, especially as they can recover at home. The lower cost of outpatient care is also linked to the fact that patients can shop around and make decisions when it comes to their treatments. For example:

Summary