There are two basic types of classification when it comes to patient care in the medical world. The main two types of patient care include
- In-Patient Care
- Out-Patient Care
What is an In-Patient?
When someone is admitted to a hospital and has to stay overnight for a brief or extended period of time such patients are considered inpatients.
Usually, these patients are kept in the hospital as they need continuous monitoring by the physicians.
What is an Out-Patient Treatment Program?
This is also called ambulatory care and, in this service, or treatment, there is no need to admit the patient to the hospital.
Examples of Inpatient Care:
Some of the basic treatments, which can be called In-Patient Care includes
- Surgeries that are complex and sometimes routine surgeries also will require patients to take some time to rest in the hospital.
- Illness that requires continuous monitoring by the staff for a period of time.
- In most cases of childbirth whatever way the birthing is.
- Severe injuries where the patient cannot do things on his own.
Examples of Outpatient Care:
Some of the medical services that can be given as part of outpatient treatment program include
- Physical exams that have to be done every month or once in a few months
- Consultation with the physician
- Radiation treatment that is done for a cancer patient
- Lab tests for any minor illness
- Random blood tests
- X rays and CT scans
Types of Outpatient treatment program
Drug addicts who want to get joined in rehab but have to attend work as well can make use of this outpatient program as they do not have to stay in the rehab centers round the clock.
Most outpatient programs are covered by insurance for the most part. The outpatient treatment plans vary from intensive to mild care.
- Partial Hospitalization Program
This program will be for 4 to 6 hours a day for 3 to 5 days a week. Mainly these programs are for people who need assistance in the day and can be sent home at night.
- Intensive Outpatient Program
This program offers sessions three days a week for three hours at a time. This program duration varies depending on the progress of the person who needs rehab.
They are basically for patients who require the care that an inpatient might need but cannot accommodate the time and need the flexibility that an outpatient might get.
Who needs Outpatient Care:
This outpatient treatment program will be beneficial to the people who went through one of the following things.
- This program benefits the person who went through the inpatient program and is now only in need of a treatment touch up.
- If the addiction is new and doesn’t have firm or fixed reactions they can also opt for an outpatient program.
Conclusion:
Whether the person is in need of outpatient care or inpatient care will be decided by a mental health counselor.
For outpatient care, the counselor has to reach out to the families and discuss with them the issues that might have to be addressed later when the patient is spending time with the family.
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