Logan Reid
Being admitted to a hospital can be a stressful experience, and there are many factors that influence whether you will be admitted. The most common route of admission is via the emergency department, where a physician will determine whether your condition can be addressed or if you need to be admitted to the hospital. In some cases, your doctor may call the hospital and have you directly admitted, especially if they have admitting privileges. Once admitted, you will be asked about your preferences for resuscitation and given an identification bracelet with a unique barcode to ensure you receive the proper care. You will also be assigned a shared room with curtains for privacy and will be attended to by various healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, and specialists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Admission | Emergency, Direct, Transfer, Observation, Scheduled |
| Decision Maker | Personal Doctor, Emergency Department Doctor, On-Call Physician, Hospitalist, Specialist Physician |
| Factors Considered | Severity of Condition, Timeliness, Patient History, Diagnostic Capabilities, Bed Availability, Insurance Coverage |
| Patient Actions | Bring Critical Items (Medical Documents, Medication List, etc.), Personal Items (Electronics, Comfort Objects), Leave Valuables at Home |
| Hospital Actions | Provide Basic Amenities, Assign Shared or Single Room, Ensure Patient Comfort, Inform of Procedures |
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What You'll Learn
Emergency admission
An emergency admission is the most common route of admission to a hospital. This usually involves a visit to the emergency department (ED) with a particular symptom, such as pain, difficulty breathing, or bleeding. If the ED physician determines that your condition requires further attention, you will be admitted to the hospital. The decision to admit a patient to the hospital is typically made by the ED doctor in consultation with the patient's primary care physician.
The factors influencing whether a patient will be admitted to the hospital include the severity and urgency of the medical condition. An emergency condition is often defined as a life-, limb-, or body function-threatening problem, such as a stroke, trauma to a leg, or an eye injury. In such cases, the patient should seek immediate medical attention at a hospital's emergency department.
The decision to admit a patient is also influenced by the patient's medical history, the availability of diagnostic tests and treatments at the hospital, and the patient's insurance coverage. In some cases, a patient may be admitted for observation, which is a status used by the hospital for billing purposes. This may occur when a patient's condition does not meet the strict criteria for admission but requires further monitoring or treatment.
It is important to note that not all doctors have admitting privileges, and they may direct patients to the ED for triage and further evaluation. The ED physician will then decide whether to admit the patient based on the severity of their condition and the availability of resources.
Standardised criteria for hospital admission, such as the CURB-65 score for community-acquired pneumonia and the Blatchford score for gastrointestinal haemorrhage, can aid in the decision-making process. These tools help assess the risk of mortality, the need for inpatient treatment, and the potential for adverse events. However, the ultimate decision to admit a patient may also be influenced by insurance company policies and the patient's ability to pay.
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Direct admission
If you are feeling very unwell, you may seek help at a hospital's emergency department, but for fast and effective care, the illness should be an emergency condition. An emergency condition is usually defined as a life-, limb-, or body function-threatening problem, such as a stroke, trauma to a leg, or an eye injury. If you are ill, you should ask a friend or family member to take you to the hospital, or call an ambulance if necessary.
When admitted to hospital, patients are usually assigned to a shared room, with a curtain to separate them from other patients. Patients will be seen by a variety of healthcare professionals, including nurses, nurse practitioners, student nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, and specialists. They will also encounter non-clinical workers, such as lab technicians, therapists, and dieticians.
When admitted to hospital, patients should bring critical items such as medical documents, instructions from their physician, a list of medications, and any allergies. They can also bring personal items such as photographs, books, and electronics. However, valuables such as jewellery and large sums of money should be left at home.
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Inpatient vs outpatient
The terms "inpatient" and "outpatient" refer to two distinct types of care in the healthcare sector. The primary distinction between the two is whether or not hospitalisation is required. Inpatient care involves staying in a hospital or another inpatient facility for at least one night, depending on the patient's condition. It often deals with serious ailments, treatments, or trauma that require monitoring, repeated or continual treatment, and time for recovery. On the other hand, outpatient care, also known as ambulatory or day patient care, does not require hospitalisation. Outpatients visit a hospital, clinic, or similar facility for diagnosis, treatment, or a procedure and then return home the same day.
Inpatient care typically involves higher costs compared to outpatient care. Inpatient care includes not only the cost of treatment or surgery but also the additional expenses associated with being cared for in a hospital, such as room and board. The intensive and immersive nature of inpatient care, which provides around-the-clock medical attention and a structured environment, often comes with a higher price tag. However, it is important to note that the cost of inpatient care can vary depending on the length of stay and the specific treatments required.
Outpatient care, on the other hand, offers greater flexibility and lower costs. Patients can receive treatment while maintaining their daily routines, attending school or work, and fulfilling personal and professional obligations. Outpatient services can vary from standard outpatient therapy to more intensive options like partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). These programs provide a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient care, offering intensive treatment during the day while allowing patients to return home at night.
The decision to admit a patient as an inpatient or provide outpatient care is typically made by the physician and the patient's care team, taking into account the severity of the patient's condition. Inpatient care is often reserved for patients with serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions, while outpatient care is suitable for milder conditions or those transitioning from inpatient treatment. Understanding the distinction between inpatient and outpatient care is essential for both patients and medical professionals, as it can impact the cost of treatment and the level of support provided.
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![Symptoms [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81dVcRHlENL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What to bring
When packing for a hospital stay, it's important to remember that you don't need to bring a lot of things. In fact, the less you bring, the better. Here are some essential items to bring when you are admitted to a hospital:
Clothing
- Comfortable clothing, such as pyjamas, a robe, front-button shirts, sweatpants or leggings. Short-sleeved shirts are preferable as they are easier to accommodate any potential IVs.
- Non-slip socks or slippers
- A hoodie or cardigan. Hospitals can be chilly, so it's a good idea to bring something to keep you warm.
- Clothes to wear home, including a comfortable pair of shoes.
- If you'll be receiving physical or occupational therapy, pack comfortable and easy-to-move-in clothing.
Toiletries and personal care items
- Basic toiletries, including travel-sized items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, feminine products, and lotion.
- A toothbrush. It is recommended to bring a disposable toothbrush and leave your regular toothbrush at home.
- Lip balm
- Comb or brush
- If you have a preference, bring your own pillow and a brightly coloured pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's linens.
Medical documents and health information
- Insurance card, Medicare card, photo ID, and pre-certification
- A list of your allergies, health conditions, immunizations, special dietary requirements, and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking, including dosages and how often you take them.
- A copy of your advance healthcare directives, such as a durable power of attorney for healthcare and living will, if applicable.
- A personal health record that includes recent test results or physical exam reports.
- Reports your physician gave you to bring to the hospital.
Entertainment and comfort items
- A small amount of cash for newspapers, magazines, or other items from the gift shop or vending machines.
- Photos or small personal items.
- Paper and pen for jotting down notes and questions for your doctors or nurses.
- A book, journal, or laptop to stay connected and entertained during your stay.
- If you use a CPAP machine or other breathing aids, be sure to bring those as well.
It is important to note that hospitals cannot be responsible for patients' personal belongings, so it is recommended to leave valuables, jewellery, and high-end electronic devices at home. Always check the hospital's policy on electronic items before bringing them.
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Admission criteria
The decision to admit a patient to a hospital is typically made by medical staff, including the patient's personal doctor or an emergency department doctor. The patient's individual circumstances help guide which hospital department they are admitted to or transferred to.
In the case of an emergency, the patient will usually go to the emergency department with symptoms such as pain, difficulty breathing, or bleeding. The emergency physician will then determine whether the patient's condition can be addressed in the department or if they need to be admitted to the hospital.
For non-emergency situations, a patient's doctor may recommend admission to the hospital for scheduled surgery or if they are deemed too ill to be treated in an outpatient setting. In some cases, a doctor may call ahead to the emergency department to expedite the admission process.
It is important to note that insurance coverage also plays a role in admission criteria, as insurance companies may influence whether a patient is "admitted", "observed", or neither. Additionally, bed availability can impact admission, as hospitals have a limited number of beds and may need to turn away patients during high-demand periods.
Upon admission, patients are typically asked about their living will and resuscitation preferences, regardless of the severity of their health condition. They are also given an identification bracelet with a unique barcode to ensure proper care and medication administration. Patients are encouraged to bring critical items such as medical documents, medication lists, and allergy information, as well as personal items for their comfort.
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Frequently asked questions
An emergency condition is usually defined as a life, limb, or body function-threatening problem, such as a stroke, trauma to a leg, or an eye injury.
There are three main types of hospital admissions: emergency admissions, direct admissions, and transfers. Emergency admissions are the most common route of admission, where a patient goes to the emergency department with symptoms like pain, difficulty breathing, or bleeding. Direct admissions are when a doctor determines that a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital during an office visit or phone call. Transfers occur when a patient is transferred to another hospital that has specific capabilities or resources that the original hospital does not.
Patients should bring critical items such as medical documents, instructions from their physicians, a list of medications and allergies, and insurance information. They can also bring personal items such as electronics, reading materials, and items that will make them comfortable, such as photographs or a favourite blanket. However, it is advised not to bring valuables such as jewellery or large sums of money.
