Hospitalized, but Not Admitted: Admission Status

Inpatient versus Observation
• Observation status created in early 1980s as a
temporizing, money-saving measure
• Definition: “a well-defined set of specific…appropriate
services…include ongoing short term treatment,
assessment, and reassessment…furnished while a
decision is being made…”
• Timing: “In the majority of cases…decision…to
discharge…or to admit…can be made in less than 48
hours…in only rare and exceptional cases do reasonable
and necessary outpatient observation services span
more than 48 hours.”