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Types of Medical Settings

Medical services are available in a variety of settings. Each setting offers a specific type of patient care. Outpatient facilities provide services including diagnostic testing, ambulatory surgery, blood analysis, physical exams and rehabilitative therapies. Walk-in facilities offer immediate care for non-life-threatening emergencies and illnesses. Inpatient services provide patients with 24-hour medical care and residential facilities offer long-term assistance to people who cannot live independently. There are several different types of settings in each of these categories.

  1. Outpatient Medical Factilities

    • Outpatient facilities account for a large percentage of medical settings. There are many different types of outpatient facilities. Outpatient surgery centers perform operations that do not require the patient to have overnight supervision. Physicians and specialists provide outpatient consultations through weekday appointments. Diagnostic tests such as mammograms, ultrasounds, blood work and cardiac stress tests are offered in outpatient settings. Rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy are frequently performed in outpatient settings as well. Walk-in settings are available for urgent, non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses that need immediate care.

    Inpatient Medical Settings

    • Medical care is provided through inpatient services in a hospital. Patients in this setting receive 24-hour medical supervision and assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing. Meals are also provided in the inpatient setting. Different levels of inpatient care are provided in the hospital. The intensive care unit --- ICU --- provides the highest level of medical intervention for patients who are critically ill. Acute care services are provided to patients in stable condition who require 24-hour care.

    Subacute Medical Settings

    • Subacute medical facilities provide short-term inpatient services to people recovering from an illness or surgery who are not yet able to return home. Patients receive physical, occupational or speech therapy services five to seven days per week to help them regain skills for independent living. Subacute services typically range from 10 days to eight weeks.

    Residential Medical Settings

    • Residential medical settings provide various levels of care to people who are unable to manage all areas of life independently. Adult care settings offer basic assistance including meals and administration of medications. In addition to basic assistance, assisted-living facilities offer help with bathing, dressing, mobility and transportation. Skilled nursing homes are for people who require 24-hour nursing services due to medical conditions and limited mobility.

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