OUTPATIENT Meaning and
Definition
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Outpatient is a term that is primarily used in the field of healthcare and refers to a type of medical service that does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or healthcare facility. It is a setting where patients receive medical care, treatment, or consultation on a scheduled basis and are able to return home the same day.
Outpatient services encompass a wide range of medical specialties and procedures, including routine check-ups, diagnostic tests, preventive care, minor surgeries, rehabilitation therapies, and various medical treatments. These services are typically offered in specialized clinics, medical offices, outpatient departments of hospitals, or ambulatory care centers.
One of the main advantages of outpatient care is that it allows patients to receive necessary medical attention without disrupting their day-to-day life or requiring extended hospital stays. It often provides a more cost-effective and convenient alternative to inpatient care, especially for less complex cases or procedures that do not require close monitoring or round-the-clock care.
Outpatient services are performed by a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff, who collaborate to provide comprehensive care. The patient's condition, treatment plan, and progress are regularly assessed to ensure appropriate care is provided during each visit.
Overall, the term "outpatient" refers to a healthcare service or medical care that is delivered on an appointment basis and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or medical facility.
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A patient treated at a hospital dispensary and not in the wards of the institution.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Top Common Misspellings for OUTPATIENT *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for OUTPATIENT
Etymology of OUTPATIENT
The word "outpatient" has Latin roots. It is derived from the Latin word "extra", meaning "outside" or "beyond", and the Latin word "patiens", meaning "suffering" or "enduring". Combining these words, "extra" and "patiens" gives us "extrapatiens", which evolved into "outpatient" in English. The term originally referred to a patient who was able to tolerate or endure their illness outside of a hospital setting, receiving treatment or care without being admitted as an inpatient.
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