Ambulatory care or
outpatient care is
medical care provided on an
outpatient basis, including diagnosis, observation, consultation, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation services. This care can include advanced
medical technology and
procedures even when provided outside of hospitals.
Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) are health conditions where appropriate ambulatory care prevents or reduces the need for hospital admission (or
inpatient care), such as
diabetes or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.