9^th International Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Conference

Ambulatory medicines

Ambulatory care or outpatient care is a medical care, which includes diagnostic, observation, counseling, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation services. Such care can include advanced medical procedures and technology, even when delivered outside of hospitals. Ambulatory Care Conditions (ACSC) are health conditions in which adequate outpatient care prevents or reduces the need for hospitalization (or inpatient care), such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Many medical examinations and treatments for acute and chronic conditions, as well as preventive health care, can be performed on an outpatient basis, including minor medical and surgical procedures, most dental services, dermatological services, and many types of diagnostic procedures (e.g. blood tests, X-rays, endoscopy and biopsy procedures of superficial organs).Other types of home care services include emergency visits, rehabilitation visits, and, in some cases, telephone consultations. Outpatient care is the largest contributor to increased hospital spending and health system performance in most countries, including most developing countries. Healthcare organizations use different ways of defining the type of care provided as “ambulatory" versus inpatient or other types of care.