Legal Definitions - incidental admission

Definition: Incidental admission refers to an admission to a hospital or medical facility that occurs while the patient is being treated for another condition or illness.

For example, if a patient is being treated for a broken arm and develops a fever, they may be admitted to the hospital for treatment of the fever. This admission is considered incidental because it was not the primary reason for the patient's initial visit to the hospital.

Another example of incidental admission is when a patient is undergoing a routine medical procedure, such as a colonoscopy, and a problem is discovered that requires immediate treatment. The patient may be admitted to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment of the problem.

These examples illustrate how incidental admission can occur unexpectedly and may require additional medical attention beyond the initial reason for the patient's visit.