Acute Care Hospital

An acute care hospital is a healthcare facility that offers patient care services of a limited duration to diagnose and/or treat an injury or short-term illness. Services include medical and surgical inpatient services and outpatient diagnostic services. Acute care hospitals may also offer inpatient obstetrics and pediatric services, and may inlude emergency and ambulatory surgery departments. Some acute care hospitals are specialty hospitals, such as children's hospitals and cardiac care hospitals. 

Many HIM topics are fundamental to acute care. See the resources presented on this website organized by HIM topic for more information on specific areas.