OPD – Outpatient Department

Over the years, hospitals have been crucial to humans as they help people lead healthy lives. Through their service, hospitals save people from various diseases, which even include life-threatening diseases. Different departments of hospitals efficiently contribute to the success of any hospital. The major departments in the hospital are Dietary department, Inpatient service (IP), Medical department, Nursing department, Operation theatre (OT), Outpatient department (OPD), Rehabilitation department, Radiology department, and Paramedical department. The outpatient department is the first intermediary between a patient and the hospital staff. A patient first comes to the OPD for inspection and then the doctors from the OPD refer him/her to the respective departments of treatment according to the patient needs.

What is an OPD?

OPD is the short form of the Outpatient Department. It is the section of any hospital where the patients that require medical attention are treated. People need to pay consultation charges, and the doctor will visit the patient to conduct the necessary check-up. The doctor examines the patient, conducts necessary tests, and prescribes medication and treatment on the basis of the health condition of the patient.

Hospitals have OPD wards for providing attention to the patients and conducting medical treatment.The minor surgeries and treatments can be easily conducted in the OPDs. It is not necessary to admit a patient to the hospital for surgeries and treatment. Moreover, modern OPDs have the necessary equipment and facilities to conduct surgeries, medical tests, and diagnoses.

Difference between Outpatient and Inpatient Department

Although both departments have different roles and functions, both are extremely important for any hospital. The outpatient department provides the initial diagnoses. Patient visits the OPD of hospitals for treatment. The patient is not required to be admitted to the hospital for treatment. Generally, OPD takes minor cases for treatment. However, the inpatient departments admit the patient for one or more days according to the severity of the illness and the time required for treatment. Inpatient departments admit patients with more severe medical conditions as compared to OPD patients.