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Healthcare delivery encompasses a wide range of services primarily inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care. Understanding the differences between these types of care is essential for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers alike. In addition to the care and services, each provides differences in staff, insurance, billing structures, and intensity of service. In this lesson, you will explore the many types of facilities where inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care can be provided.
Inpatient care refers to medical services provided to patients who are admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility for at least one overnight stay. This type of care is often necessary for individuals requiring intensive monitoring, complex treatments, or surgeries that necessitate close medical supervision. Hospitals are the main type of healthcare organization that provides inpatient care. Today, most hospitals are part of a large healthcare system that includes many types of healthcare facilities. On an inpatient basis, hospitals provide a wide range of services including nursing care and physician care for complex illnesses, treatment, or surgery
IN CONTEXT
Hospitals are equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by a variety of healthcare professionals to assist with patient care such as physical therapists, social workers, psychologists, radiologists, and lab technicians to name a few. Hospitals can be general, offering a broad range of services, or they may specialize in a certain type of care such as pediatrics, oncology, or cardiology. Although inpatient care has been the traditional focus of hospitals, in the past few decades most hospitals have begun to offer a wide range of outpatient services as well. This has been a financial necessity as well as a need to respond to the demand for these services. Examples include laboratory, radiology, and outpatient surgery. Whether inpatient or outpatient, hospitals play a critical role in treating severe illnesses and injuries.
Outpatient care encompasses medical services where patients receive treatment without being admitted to a hospital. With outpatient care, patients visit a healthcare facility and return home the same day. This can include preventive care, diagnostic services, minor surgeries, and follow-up appointments. There are a wide variety of healthcare facilities that offer outpatient services.
Outpatient clinics provide medical services that do not require an overnight stay. General practitioners and specialists provide:
Emergency departments (EDs) are usually part of each hospital and provide care for severe and life-threatening conditions that happen unexpectedly and cannot wait for an outpatient clinic appointment. Typical reasons for emergency department visits are:
They provide immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention but may not require emergency services. They are a convenient option when an appointment isn’t available at an outpatient clinic, and they usually have extended hours, including evenings and weekends, to make it easier for patients to receive care. Some top reasons for urgent care visits are:
Telehealth refers to the use of technology to deliver healthcare services remotely, including consultations, monitoring, education, and support. It encompasses various methods, such as video calls, phone consultations, and mobile health apps.
It is particularly useful for routine check-ups, follow-up appointments, and managing chronic conditions. It is a great convenience for those who struggle to access care due to work and family obligations, transportation issues, and geographical constraints.
Community Health Centers are local healthcare facilities that provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare services to underserved populations. They are designed to meet the needs of communities, particularly those with limited access to medical care due to factors like location, income, or lack of insurance. They are typically non-profit and may rely on grants, donations, and governmental funding. They usually offer:
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), or outpatient surgery centers, are facilities that perform surgeries that do not require an overnight hospital stay. They offer a convenient and less expensive option than surgery within a hospital. They specialize in minor surgeries and are staffed with professionals that the operations require such as surgeons, nurses, and surgical technicians. Common surgeries performed on an outpatient basis are cataract surgeries, colonoscopies, tonsillectomies, and minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries.
A newer trend in healthcare are retail clinics located within retail stores, such as pharmacies and supermarkets. The goal is to make access to healthcare convenient and simple. They provide basic medical and diagnostic services, including vaccinations, health screenings, and treatment for minor illnesses.
EXAMPLE
They may offer strep throat tests, COVID-19 tests, and related prescriptions. Retail clinics often have extended hours that are convenient for working adults.Occupational health clinics are specialized healthcare facilities that focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses. They serve both employees and employers by promoting workplace health and safety. They may be the first place a person must visit when injured on the job. They provide treatment for workplace injuries, preventive services and training, and return-to-work programs. A popular service provided is training in ergonomics and workplace safety and the offering of substance abuse programs.
Long-term care refers to a range of services designed to meet the personal care needs of individuals who have chronic illnesses, disabilities, or cognitive impairments that limit their ability to perform everyday activities. The care needed is typically considered to be at least 30 days but can last for months, years, or until the end of the patient’s life. This type of care can be provided in various settings, depending on the individual's needs.
Commonly known as nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities are residential care centers that provide a higher level of medical care and support for individuals who have significant health needs. They cater primarily to elderly individuals but can also serve younger adults with chronic illnesses or disabilities. The residents have chronic illnesses or are suffering from the effects of old age. Many have lost the ability to stand or walk on their own and are no longer able to perform basic self-care. Other patients in a skilled nursing facility are those recovering from severe injuries or surgeries, with the goal of returning home.
Assisted living facilities are residential communities designed for individuals who need some assistance with daily activities but do not require the full medical care provided in nursing homes. These facilities offer a balance of independence and support, allowing residents to maintain a level of autonomy while receiving help as needed. Assisted living apartments, or rooms, usually have a way for residents to signal for help when necessary. They also offer social opportunities, dining services, and transportation services. Each resident will have an individualized care plan with the level of services provided that are unique to them.
Rehabilitation centers can be standalone facilities or part of hospitals and long-term care facilities. They focus on helping patients recover from injuries, surgeries, or illnesses. They provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other specialized treatments to improve patients’ functional abilities and quality of life. Most patients have the goal of returning home, while some may eventually be transferred to a skilled nursing center.
Home healthcare refers to a variety of medical and support services provided in a patient’s home, allowing individuals to receive care in a familiar and comfortable environment. This type of care is often used for patients recovering from illness, managing chronic conditions, or needing assistance with daily activities. Home healthcare continues to gain popularity because it is usually a more cost-effective option.
IN CONTEXT
Home healthcare can be less expensive than hospital stays or nursing home care. Cost, along with comfort, makes it a popular option for many healthcare consumers.
Hospice care is a specialized type of healthcare designed for individuals with terminal illnesses, focusing on providing comfort and support when curative treatment is no longer an option. The primary goal of hospice care is to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families during the final stages of life. A primary treatment modality for hospice care is palliative care. Palliative care is designed to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients and keep them as pain-free as possible. Nurses are the primary care givers, but most hospice programs also utilize volunteers to provide companionship and support and respite for family members. Hospice care is unique as it continues to offer services and support to families after the patient dies.
The following are in their own category because they often have a mix of outpatient, inpatient, and long-term care. Some may offer all these types of care in one facility, while others may specialize in only one or have separate facilities for each.
Mental health facilities provide a range of services aimed at supporting individuals with mental health issues, emotional challenges, and behavioral disorders. They generally focus on assessment, treatment, and support. Common conditions treated are depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. These facilities offer a range of services, including counseling, medication management, and therapy. Mental health care can be provided in various settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient units, and community mental health centers. Telehealth is also being used for counseling appointments so patients can stay in the comfort of their own home.
Military and veterans’ healthcare facilities receive governmental funding to provide medical care to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. These facilities include military hospitals, VA hospitals, VA nursing homes and assisted living and outpatient clinics. They offer a wide range of services to include most types of care this population would need.
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