inpatient

[in-pey-shuhnt]

noun

1. a patient who stays in a hospital while receiving medical care or treatment.

inpatient

/ ˈɪnˌpeɪʃənt /

noun

1. a hospital patient who occupies a bed for at least one night in the course of treatment, examination, or observation Compare outpatient

Word History and Origins

Origin of inpatient¹

First recorded in 1750–60; in- ¹ + patient

Example Sentences

Additional figures from PHS show that one in 10 were waiting more than 480 days for an inpatient appointment, and a same proportion were waiting more than 354 days for an outpatient appointment.

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Plus, more care is moving from inpatient settings to less expensive outpatient facilities.

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The deal complements the company’s inpatient footprint, which in turn will broaden customer reach and offer a more comprehensive, integrated imaging solution across multiple care settings, GE HealthCare said Thursday.

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He wanted to go to an inpatient facility that could keep him safe.

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Meanwhile, Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge says a cut in NHS funding will mean inpatient beds being reduced from 21 to 12 – what it described as "a devastating decision".

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When To Use

What does inpatient mean?

Inpatient is commonly used as an adjective to describe treatment that requires a patient to be admitted to a hospital or other care facility for at least one night.Inpatient is used in contrast with the term outpatient, which describes treatment that does not require a patient to stay overnight.The terms are especially used in phrases like inpatient treatment (which requires the patient to stay overnight at the hospital), inpatient room (where such patients stay), and outpatient procedure (after which the patient can leave, instead of staying for further observation or treatment).Both terms can also be used as nouns referring to such patients.Inpatient is typically used in the context of hospitals, but it can also refer to a patient of a mental health facility or other kinds of clinics.Example: This type of surgery requires inpatient care—typically consisting of a one-week hospital stay.