Question

For inpatient and outpatient services in hospitals, which of the following is true since the 1980's?

	A.	Outpatient services have been static while inpatient services have been declining.
	B.	Both have been growing.
	C.	Outpatient services have increased substantially while inpatient admissions are down.
	D.	Both have been declining.

Answer 1

• Option C is the answer.
• Outpatient services have increased substantially while inpatient admissions are down.
• 1980s witnessed major changes in the hospital sector. Hospital cost inflation was the main cause of these changes. High amount of hospital payment made the inpatient staying period shorter and it in turn increased the number of outpatients in the hospital. It was not affordable for common people to stay in the hospital and that's why they had opted to become outpatients.