Outpatient services
Outpatient services are medical procedures, surgeries, or tests that are done in a qualified medical center without the need for an overnight stay.
Generally, outpatient centers focus on services for wellness and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. In these centers, a person may obtain childbirth education, diabetes education, counseling, imaging tests, laboratory tests, minor surgery, physical or occupational therapy, and drug rehabilitation. Government and health agencies rate and report on outpatient facilities and can help a person find a local, high-quality outpatient service center.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
@ 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.