Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

inpatient

noun
/ɪnˈpeɪʃənt/
Definition
A patient who stays in a hospital while receiving medical treatment.
Examples
  • The doctor informed the family that the patient would be an inpatient for at least three days following surgery.
  • Inpatients typically receive more intense medical attention than outpatients.
  • After the assessment, the psychiatrist decided that the individual needed to be an inpatient for treatment.
Meaning
The term ‘inpatient’ is used to describe someone who is admitted to a hospital for a longer duration, often requiring continuous care and monitoring from healthcare professionals.
Synonyms
  • Hospitalized patient
  • In-house patient
  • Resident patient