Outpatient visit

Measured differently in the following data systems:

American Hospital Association

Visits for receipt of medical, dental, or other services at a hospital by patients who are not admitted to the hospital. Each appearance by an outpatient to each unit of the hospital is counted individually as an outpatient visit, including all clinic visits, referred visits, observation services, outpatient surgeries, and emergency department visits.

National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey

A direct personal exchange between a patient (not currently admitted to the hospital) and a physician or other healthcare provider working under the physician’s supervision to seek care and receive personal health services.

(Also see Sources and Definitions, Emergency department or emergency room visit.)