outpatient
Patient not staying overnight
A person who goes to a hospital or clinic for treatment but does not sleep there at night.
an outpatient at [a hospital/clinic]
- The surgeon said I could go home the same day and would only be an outpatient.
- She attends the hospital twice a week as an outpatient for physiotherapy.
- Most of the cancer patients are now treated as outpatients rather than staying in the ward.
- After the operation, he returned a week later as an outpatient to have the stitches removed.
- The hospital has a special parking area for outpatients and their families.
- I went to the hospital as an outpatient.
- He is an outpatient and goes home after his treatment.
- The doctor sees many outpatients every morning.
- As an outpatient, she does not sleep in the hospital.
- Outpatients must check in at the front desk.
Describing non-overnight medical care
Describes medical care for people who go to a hospital or clinic and go home the same day.
outpatient [clinic/care/service/surgery/program]
- The hospital is expanding its outpatient services to reduce the need for overnight stays.
- Most minor procedures are now done as outpatient surgery.
- The new building will house the outpatient clinic and laboratory.
- She receives outpatient care for her condition twice a month.
- The study compared outcomes in inpatient and outpatient settings.
- He had outpatient surgery and went home the same day.
- This hospital has a large outpatient clinic.
- Outpatient care is often cheaper than inpatient care.
- She goes to the hospital for outpatient treatment every Friday.
- The doctor works in the outpatient department.
- Base: outpatient
- Comparative: outpatienter
- Superlative: outpatientest
on an outpatient basis
1Receive treatment without overnight stay
Used to say that someone gets medical treatment and goes home on the same day, without sleeping in the hospital.
- The procedure can usually be done on an outpatient basis.
- Most patients are treated on an outpatient basis unless there are complications.
outpatient care
1Medical care without overnight stay
Medical treatment that patients receive when they come to a hospital or clinic and go home the same day.
- Many mental health services are now provided as outpatient care.
- Good outpatient care can prevent some hospital admissions.
outpatient clinic
1Clinic for outpatients
A part of a hospital or a separate center where patients come for treatment and go home the same day.
- She has a follow-up appointment at the outpatient clinic next Tuesday.
- The hospital opened a new outpatient clinic to reduce waiting times.
outpatient department
1Hospital section for outpatients
The part of a hospital where outpatients go for tests, treatment, or to see a doctor.
- Please report to the outpatient department ten minutes before your appointment.
- The outpatient department is on the second floor, opposite the main elevators.
outpatient services
1Services for non-overnight patients
All the different kinds of help and treatment a hospital or clinic gives to outpatients.
- The hospital is investing more money in outpatient services.
- Outpatient services include blood tests, check-ups, and some small operations.
outpatient surgery
1Surgery with same-day discharge
An operation where the patient comes in for surgery and goes home later that day.
- Advances in technology have made outpatient surgery much more common.
- He had outpatient surgery on his knee and was back at work a week later.