> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://q.odontox.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# In-Patient (IPD) Module

> Manage overnight patient admissions, link clinical notes and appointments to stays, and track discharge for clinics with bed management.

The In-Patient Department (IPD) module is designed for dental clinics that provide overnight care or post-surgical observation. It handles patient admissions, links clinical documentation to the stay, and records discharge — giving your team a structured workflow for in-patient management.

<Note>
  The IPD module is available on **Pro+** and **Enterprise** plans only. If your clinic does not see this feature, check your subscription plan or contact support to enable it.
</Note>

## When to use IPD

Most dental clinics operate on an outpatient basis, but some clinical scenarios require overnight stays:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Oral surgery recovery" icon="bed">
    Complex extractions, jaw surgery, or implant procedures requiring post-operative observation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sedation monitoring" icon="monitor-waveform">
    Patients under IV sedation or general anesthesia who need monitored recovery time.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Emergency trauma" icon="kit-medical">
    Facial trauma or dental emergencies where the patient needs stabilization before discharge.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-stage procedures" icon="calendar-days">
    Planned procedures spanning multiple days where sending the patient home between stages is impractical.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Creating an admission

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the IPD module">
    Navigate to the IPD section from the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New Admission">
    Start a new in-patient record.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the patient">
    Choose the patient being admitted from the patient directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign the attending doctor">
    Select the doctor who will be responsible for the patient during their stay.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter admission details">
    Fill in:

    * **Admission date** — When the patient is being admitted
    * **Reason for admission** — Clinical justification for the overnight stay
    * **Notes** — Any additional information relevant to the admission
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save**. The admission is created with an **Active** status.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Admission statuses

IPD admissions have two statuses:

| Status         | Meaning                                                |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Active**     | The patient is currently admitted and in your facility |
| **Discharged** | The patient has been released                          |

<Tip>
  Active admissions appear prominently in the IPD dashboard so your team always knows which patients are currently in-house.
</Tip>

## During the admission

While a patient is admitted, you can connect other the platform records to the admission for complete in-patient documentation.

### Linking clinical notes

Clinical notes created during the admission can be linked directly to the IPD record. This keeps all in-patient documentation grouped together, separate from the patient's outpatient notes.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a clinical note">
    Follow the standard clinical note creation workflow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link to the admission">
    In the note form, select the active IPD admission from the link dropdown. The note is now associated with both the patient and the admission.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Linking appointments

Appointments that occur during the admission — such as follow-up checks, in-hospital consultations, or procedure sessions — can also be linked to the admission record.

### Scheduling follow-ups

You can create follow-up appointments directly from the admission record. This is useful for scheduling:

* Post-discharge check-ups
* Suture removal appointments
* Follow-up imaging or lab work

<Note>
  Follow-up appointments created from an admission are automatically linked to both the patient and the admission, maintaining a clear trail from in-patient stay to post-discharge care.
</Note>

## Discharging a patient

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the active admission">
    Navigate to the admission record in the IPD module.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Discharge">
    Record the **discharge date**. The system changes the admission status to **Discharged**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add discharge notes">
    Document any discharge instructions, follow-up requirements, or observations about the patient's condition at discharge.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Ensure all clinical notes for the admission are completed and saved before discharging. While you can still add notes after discharge, linking them to the admission is cleaner when done while the admission is active.
</Warning>

## Historical records

All admission records are retained permanently, regardless of status. Your clinic can review a patient's complete in-patient history at any time from their profile. Each record shows:

* Admission and discharge dates
* Attending doctor
* Reason for admission
* All linked clinical notes
* All linked appointments

## Permissions

<Note>
  **Doctors & Admins** can create admissions, link records, and discharge patients. Receptionists can view admission statuses but cannot create or modify IPD records.
</Note>

## Best practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Document admission reasoning thoroughly">
    A clear reason for admission protects your clinic legally and helps other staff understand why in-patient care was chosen over outpatient management.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Link every note and appointment">
    Consistent linking ensures the admission record is a complete capsule of the patient's stay. Unlinked notes can be difficult to associate retroactively.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Schedule follow-ups before discharge">
    Creating follow-up appointments while the patient is still admitted ensures nothing falls through the cracks. The patient leaves with their next appointment already on the calendar.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use clinical note types appropriately during stays">
    Use Procedure notes for surgical interventions, Follow-up notes for daily rounds, and Emergency notes if the patient's condition changes unexpectedly during their stay.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related articles

* [Clinical Notes](/clinical/clinical-notes) — Create and link notes to admissions
* [Managing Patients](/clinical/patients) — Access IPD history from the patient profile
* [Appointments](/clinical/appointments) — Schedule follow-up visits from the admission record
* [Subscriptions & Plans](/admin/subscriptions) — Check if your plan includes the IPD module