Tessa Quinn
Being admitted to the hospital can be a stressful experience, but understanding the process can help reduce anxiety. There are two main types of hospital admissions: emergent and elective. Emergent admissions occur when a patient is brought to the emergency department and subsequently admitted to the hospital. Elective admissions, which make up the majority of cases, occur when a doctor requests a bed reservation for a patient on a specific day, usually for a scheduled surgery. In both cases, a doctor determines whether a patient's medical condition warrants hospital admission. During the admission process, a nurse will assess the patient's health status and conduct basic tests to ensure they are ready for treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of hospital admission | Emergent, Elective, Direct Admit, Transfer, Outpatient, Inpatient, Emergency Admit, Scheduled Admit, Unplanned Presentation |
| Who decides if you are admitted | A doctor—the primary care doctor, a specialist, or an emergency department doctor |
| What they decide on | Whether the patient has a medical problem serious enough to warrant admission to the hospital |
| What happens during admission | A nurse will talk to you about your medical condition and health status, conduct basic tests, and ask questions about your health to ensure you are ready for surgery or treatment |
| What to bring | Medical information |
| What to know | Your rights as a patient, the billing process, and the various services available to you |
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What You'll Learn
- Emergency admission: Call emergency services, who will determine if you need to be admitted
- Direct admission: A doctor deems you too ill to go home and admits you
- Elective admission: You can choose the date and time of your admission
- Inpatient admission: You stay overnight or longer
- Public or private patient: You can choose to be admitted as either
Emergency admission: Call emergency services, who will determine if you need to be admitted
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should call the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency department. Do not delay seeking medical attention if you or someone you know is facing a life-threatening situation. In such cases, calling an ambulance or emergency services is crucial, and they will determine if you need to be admitted to the hospital.
Upon arrival at the hospital, you will be assessed by a specialist emergency nurse, also known as a triage nurse. They will evaluate your condition, administer first aid, and determine the urgency of your treatment. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be asked to wait in the emergency department until a hospital bed becomes available. This wait time can vary based on the department's current caseload and the presence of patients with more critical or urgent conditions.
The emergency physician will then decide whether your condition can be managed solely in the emergency department or if you need to be admitted to the hospital for further treatment. If admitted, you will be cared for by a hospitalist or a house doctor, who is a physician employed by the hospital to manage admitted patients. Residents, house staff, medical students, and interns may also be involved in your care under the guidance of the attending physician.
During your admission interview, a nurse will discuss your medical condition and health status. They may perform basic health checks, such as taking your temperature and blood pressure, to ensure you are ready for any necessary procedures or surgeries. An anaesthetist may also ask you questions if you are scheduled for surgery, and your surgeon may pay you a visit as well. It is important to inform hospital staff about any special needs or requirements, such as disability access, dietary restrictions, or language interpretation services.
If you are unsure whether your situation constitutes a medical emergency, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice. Many countries have a dedicated helpline or number for medical emergencies, and the operators can guide you on the necessary steps to take.
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Direct admission: A doctor deems you too ill to go home and admits you
In some cases, you may be deemed too unwell to go home following a doctor's office appointment, and the doctor may call the hospital to have you directly admitted. This could also happen during a phone conversation with your doctor, who may decide that you need to go directly to the hospital. This scenario is most often not due to an 'illness' but rather a direct admit for labour and delivery.
Direct admission is a subtype of elective admission, which occurs when a doctor requests a bed to be reserved for a patient on a specific day. Elective admissions make up the majority of hospital admissions, but this percentage varies across hospitals. Elective admissions are typically planned in advance and are often for scheduled surgeries.
In contrast, emergency admissions occur when a patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms such as pain, difficulty breathing, or bleeding. The emergency physician will evaluate the patient's condition and decide whether they require admission to the hospital for further treatment. Emergency admissions are usually unplanned, and it may take some time for a hospital bed to become available.
It is important to note that going to the hospital can be stressful for many people. Understanding the hospital's admission procedures and what to expect during your stay can help reduce anxiety and ensure a smooth process. Upon arrival at the hospital, a nurse will discuss your medical condition and conduct basic health checks to ensure you are ready for any necessary procedures or surgeries.
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Elective admission: You can choose the date and time of your admission
Elective hospital admissions occur when a doctor requests a bed reservation for a patient on a specific day. This type of admission makes up the majority of hospital admissions, though this percentage varies across hospitals. Elective admissions are typically scheduled in advance and are often associated with planned surgeries or procedures.
If you are scheduled for elective admission, you will usually receive an admission notice from the hospital confirming the date and time of your stay. This notice may also outline any special instructions you need to follow before arriving at the hospital, such as fasting requirements. On the day of your admission, you will check in at the admissions office, bypassing the emergency department.
During the admission process, a nurse will discuss your medical condition and current health status. They may conduct basic health checks, such as taking your temperature and blood pressure, to ensure you are ready for your procedure or surgery. An anaesthetist may also ask you additional questions if you are scheduled for surgery.
It is important to inform hospital staff about any special needs or requirements you may have during your stay. This includes disability access, dietary requirements, or language interpretation services if English is not your preferred language. Knowing what to expect during the elective admission process can help reduce anxiety and ensure a smoother hospital stay.
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Inpatient admission: You stay overnight or longer
Inpatient admissions are generally of two types: emergent and elective. Emergent admissions are usually for emergency situations, where a patient is admitted to the hospital after being seen in the emergency department. Elective admissions, on the other hand, are planned and occur when a doctor requests a bed reservation for a patient on a specific day. Here are some scenarios and factors to consider for inpatient admission:
Emergent Admissions:
- Emergency Department: If you arrive at the hospital in an ambulance or your own transport due to an unexpected condition requiring urgent treatment, you will be admitted through the emergency department. A triage nurse will assess your condition, provide first aid, and determine the urgency of your treatment.
- Emergency Surgery: If you require immediate surgery, such as an appendectomy for appendicitis, you will be admitted to the hospital through the emergency department.
- Unplanned Presentation: In cases where your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, you can be driven to the emergency department by private car. The emergency staff will evaluate your need for admission and further treatment.
Elective Admissions:
- Scheduled Surgery: Elective admissions often involve scheduled surgeries or procedures, which are planned in advance. This could include situations where a tumour needs to be removed, and while it may not seem "elective" to the patient, the term refers to the scheduled date and time of the procedure.
- Maternity: For maternity admissions, you will typically receive a patient information pack with instructions on what to do when labour begins. Upon arrival at the hospital, a midwife will assess your condition and determine if you need to be admitted to a birthing suite.
- Direct Admit: In some cases, your doctor may decide that you need to be directly admitted to the hospital based on an office appointment or a phone conversation. This could be due to an illness or other reasons, such as labour and delivery.
- Planned Admission: For planned admissions, your doctor will usually refer you to a specialist for an assessment. The specialist will determine the required treatment and whether hospital admission is necessary.
Factors to Consider:
- Public or Private Patient: When admitted to a public hospital, you can choose to be a public or private patient, which affects the costs and choice of specialist. In a private hospital, you may have more choices but will incur costs for treatment.
- Insurance: Understand your insurance coverage, as some hospitals may not accept certain insurance carriers, which could result in a transfer to another hospital.
- Waiting Times: In public hospitals, the waiting time for elective surgery depends on the urgency of your condition, as determined by the admitting specialist. Private hospitals may have shorter waiting times.
- Pre-Admission Instructions: Follow any instructions provided by the hospital before admission, such as fasting or completing paperwork.
- Communication: If you have special needs or require an interpreter, inform the hospital staff. Effective communication is crucial for your care and treatment.
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Public or private patient: You can choose to be admitted as either
In Australia, you can choose to be admitted to a hospital as either a public or private patient. This choice is available whether you go to a public or private hospital. If you have private health insurance, you can choose to be a private patient in either a public or private hospital.
If you are admitted as a public patient to a public hospital, you will be treated by doctors selected by the hospital and you will not be charged for medical services, hospital accommodation, and other relevant services. Australia's public hospitals provide high-quality medical care for free to anyone with a Medicare number. They are more accessible, especially in rural areas, and may have better medical facilities for your condition than private hospitals.
If you are admitted as a private patient in a public hospital, you or your health insurance company will have to pay for some services. Private patients may have shorter wait times for planned surgery and may be more likely to have a private room. In a private hospital, you can choose your doctor, but there may be additional fees such as theatre fees. Even the highest level of private health insurance may not cover the whole cost, and patients may face expenses above those covered by their insurance. It is important to know what your policy covers and if you need to pay anything out-of-pocket for your hospital visit.
If you are planning a hospital stay, it is important to ask your doctor the right questions about your medical treatment so you can make informed choices. Your doctor should tell you what your out-of-pocket costs will be before you are admitted, which is called informed financial consent.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two major types of hospital admissions: emergent and elective. Emergent admissions occur when a patient is seen in the emergency department and is subsequently admitted to the hospital. Elective admissions occur when a doctor requests a bed reservation for a patient on a specific day, and the patient checks in at the admissions office. Elective admissions make up the majority of hospital admissions.
If you have a serious or life-threatening problem (e.g., heart attack), you should be admitted to a hospital. You may also be admitted for less serious disorders that cannot be adequately treated elsewhere. A doctor will determine whether your medical problem warrants hospital admission. If the situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening, you can be driven to the emergency department by private car.
A nurse will discuss your medical condition and health status and may perform basic health checks to ensure you are ready for surgery or treatment. You may also be visited by an anaesthetist and your surgeon. If you have any special needs, such as disability access or dietary requirements, inform the hospital staff.
For inpatient admissions, you can choose to be a public or private patient. In a public hospital, you may not be able to choose your treating specialist, and there may be longer wait times for treatment. Private hospitals generally offer faster treatment and allow you to choose your doctor, but this option is more costly.
