Outpatient vs. inpatient hospital care

Outpatient care requires an admission. while inpatient care involves an admission to the hospital.

Inpatient care is care and medical services that require you to be formally admitted to the hospital by a doctor. Inpatient care is generally for people with more serious conditions that require continuous monitoring, further diagnostic testing (such a labs and imaging), or rehabilitation services. They require you to stay overnight in the hospital for one or more days.

Outpatient care, on the other hand, is care and medical services provided at a hospital or medical facility that don't require you to stay overnight. There are two distinct types of services given to outpatients: diagnostic services and therapeutic services.

Examples of outpatient services include:

Diagnostic imaging (opens in new tab) (X-rays or CT/MRI/PET scans) and lab tests.
Wellness services such as counseling or weight-loss coaching.
Drug infusions such as chemotherapy.
Minor surgeries and laser procedures.
Rehabilitation services (opens in new tab) like physical therapy or substance abuse rehab.