What it means
Inpatient care is given to clients admitted to a hospital unit, as opposed to outpatient (ambulatory) care, where the client goes home the same day. Admission status affects billing and insurance; a client kept for monitoring without formal admission may be under "observation" status.
At a glance
| Spanish | paciente hospitalizado |
|---|---|
| Also written | inpatients |
Related terms
intensive care unit
A hospital unit that gives close, constant care to people who are critically ill.
discharge
The release of a client from a hospital or care setting; also, fluid that flows out of a body part.