The main reason a patient gives for seeking care, recorded in their own words at the start of a visit, for example a sore throat for three days. It guides triage and which provider or visit type is needed.
The main reason a patient gives for seeking care, recorded in their own words at the start of a visit, for example a sore throat for three days. It guides triage and which provider or visit type is needed.
See also: Triage level, Intake form, Urgent care
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A clinic that treats illnesses and injuries that need same-day care but are not emergencies, such as sprains, minor cuts and infections. Urgent care centers take walk-ins and often let patients hold a place in the queue before arriving.
A clinic that sees patients without an appointment, in order of arrival or need. Walk-in clinics often sit in pharmacies or retail stores and treat routine conditions, vaccinations and minor illnesses.
A rating clinical staff give each arriving patient for how urgently they need care. Emergency departments commonly use a five-level scale such as the Emergency Severity Index, where level 1 is most urgent; patients are seen by level, then by arrival.
The form a patient (the party) completes before or at a visit, covering contact details, insurance, history and consents. Completing intake ahead of arrival shortens time at the check-in desk.
The front desk where patients arrive for a visit: staff confirm identity and the appointment, collect insurance and copays and mark the patient as arrived so clinical staff know who is waiting.