Inpatient Hospital Utilization Vs Ambulatory Care Services

As medical care advances, so do the choices for receiving care. Early medical care was provided in the patient's home or at the doctor's office. In 1751, the first hospital in the U.S. was built and the services provided have since progressed to overwhelm its capacity. Over time, medical care has developed services that are adequately provided outside of the hospital. Inpatient hospital utilization versus ambulatory care services is usually a physician's choice, although at times it is the patient's decision. Understanding the differences may help in deciding.

Inpatient

• Major diagnostic, surgical or therapeutic services require patients to be admitted into a hospital. Hospital settings provide the monitoring, equipment and around-the-clock staffing needed for these services. Mental health issues that require close monitoring, such as suicide prevention, violent behavior, chemical dependency and eating disorders, require treatment within a hospital setting. Mental inpatient hospitalization provides both psychiatric and physical health treatment. Admittance to a mental facility can extend for months.

Urgent

• Illnesses or injuries that require prompt attention and will not result in a disability or death are considered urgent. These are not the same as emergency conditions that are seen in emergency rooms of a hospital. Urgent care facilities are often called minor emergency facilities. Providers include physician assistants, nurse practitioners and general practice physicians. Urgent care conditions include urinary tract infections, vomiting, high fevers, ear infections and minor injuries.

Hospice

• Hospice care provides supportive care for terminally ill patients within the patient's home, a hospital or a private facility. This type of care may fluctuate from short-term to long-term care or from home to hospital provided. Hospice care is centered on providing compassionate care for a critically ill patient in the end stages his life and for his family. It provides pain management, symptom relief and decision making support on a 24-hour basis.

Ambulatory

• Ambulatory care, or outpatient care, is divided into two groups: medical institution-based settings and non-medical institution-based settings. Medical institution-based settings are hospitals and clinics that perform outpatient services, surgeries or emergency room services. Non-medical institution-based settings are school and prison healthcare services. Services include pharmaceutical, dental and vision care and are usually provided by a nurse.

Specialty

• Specialty care centers are non-traditional settings, either within the walls of a hospital or free-standing facilities that provide care in specific areas. Birthing, cancer treatment and dialysis centers are examples of specialty care centers. These centers provide essential treatment in a home-like atmosphere.