1. Introduction
Hospital admission is a critical process that ensures a patient receives the necessary care in an appropriate healthcare setting. Whether it’s a planned admission for elective surgery or an emergency hospitalization, understanding the steps involved can significantly improve the experience for patients and caregivers.
In Kenya, hospital admissions follow a structured pathway that varies slightly between public, private, and mission hospitals. However, most facilities adhere to a general framework. This lecture will explore the step-by-step process of hospital admission, the required documents, and important considerations for patients.
By the end of this lecture, you will understand:
✔ The different ways a patient can be admitted to a hospital.
✔ The eligibility requirements and documents needed.
✔ The roles of different healthcare staff during admission.
✔ The importance of financial arrangements, including Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage and private insurance.
2. Pathways to Hospital Admission
A patient can be admitted to a hospital through the following ways:
A. Emergency Admission (Unplanned Admission)
- Occurs when a patient needs urgent medical attention.
- Patients often arrive via ambulance or are brought in by relatives.
- Emergency cases include severe accidents, heart attacks, strokes, or complications from chronic illnesses.
- Emergency rooms (ERs) or casualty departments triage patients based on the severity of their condition.
💡 Example: A person involved in a car accident is rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) by ambulance. The ER team stabilizes the patient before transferring them to a surgical ward for further care.
📌 Further Learning: Emergency Care in Kenya
B. Elective (Planned) Admission
- This occurs when a doctor schedules a non-emergency procedure or treatment in advance.
- Patients may require hospitalization for surgeries, specialized treatments, or long-term disease management.
- The hospital will provide admission dates, financial estimates, and pre-admission instructions.
💡 Example: A patient diagnosed with gallstones schedules surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi after consultation with a surgeon.
📌 Further Learning: Aga Khan University Hospital Admissions
C. Referral Admission
- Patients are referred from lower-level health facilities to higher-level hospitals for specialized care.
- The referring hospital or doctor provides a referral letter, medical history, and test results.
💡 Example: A woman with pregnancy complications at a Level 3 health center is referred to a Level 5 county hospital for a C-section.
📌 Further Learning: Referral System in Kenya
D. Self-Admission (Walk-In Admission)
- In some cases, a patient walks into a hospital without a prior appointment but needs inpatient care.
- A doctor will assess the patient and determine if admission is necessary.
💡 Example: A diabetic patient experiencing complications visits Nairobi Hospital without an appointment and is admitted for blood sugar stabilization.
📌 Further Learning: Nairobi Hospital Admission Services
3. Steps in the Hospital Admission Process
Once a patient qualifies for admission through one of the above pathways, the hospital follows standard procedures for admission.
Step 1: Registration & Documentation
✔ The patient (or caregiver) provides identification documents, including:
- National ID or Passport
- Insurance details (SHA, NHIF, or private insurance)
- Referral letter (if applicable)
- Previous medical records
✔ The patient’s details are recorded in the hospital’s Electronic Health Records (EHR) system.
💡 Tip: Carry original and copies of important documents to avoid delays.
Step 2: Initial Medical Assessment (Triage & Diagnosis)
✔ A nurse or doctor conducts an initial assessment to determine the patient’s condition.
✔ Basic vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels) are checked.
✔ The doctor confirms the need for admission and assigns a hospital ward/bed.
💡 Example: In an emergency, a patient with a suspected stroke is taken immediately to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without delays.
📌 Further Learning: Kenya Emergency Medical Guidelines
Step 3: Payment & Financial Clearance
✔ Patients must confirm payment options, including:
- SHA (Social Health Authority) or private insurance
- Corporate medical cover
- Out-of-pocket cash payments
✔ Some hospitals require a deposit before admission, while public hospitals accept SHA for subsidized care.
📌 Further Learning: SHA (formerly NHIF) Healthcare Benefits
Step 4: Room/Ward Allocation
✔ Patients are assigned a bed in either:
- General wards (shared rooms)
- Private wards (single rooms)
- Specialized units (e.g., ICU, maternity, surgical wards, pediatrics)
💡 Tip: Private hospitals allow patients to choose between VIP and standard wards, while public hospitals follow availability-based allocation.
📌 Further Learning: Kenyatta National Hospital Ward Services
Step 5: Orientation & Hospital Care Plan
✔ A nurse explains hospital policies, visiting hours, meal schedules, and treatment plans.
✔ The patient meets the assigned doctor and care team.
✔ Tests such as blood work, X-rays, or CT scans may be done to confirm diagnosis.
Step 6: Inpatient Care & Treatment
✔ The patient receives medications, surgeries, therapy, or other treatments as per the doctor’s plan.
✔ Healthcare providers monitor progress and adjust treatment accordingly.
💡 Example: A cancer patient may undergo chemotherapy sessions while admitted to the Oncology Unit.
Step 7: Discharge Planning
✔ The doctor assesses the patient’s recovery and approves discharge.
✔ The hospital issues:
- A discharge summary with treatment details.
- A prescription for continued medication.
- A follow-up appointment schedule.
✔ Patients must settle pending bills before leaving.
💡 Example: A patient who had surgery is given physiotherapy sessions as part of their post-discharge care plan.
📌 Further Learning: Hospital Discharge Planning Guide
4. Summary: Key Takeaways
✔ Patients can be admitted through emergency, elective, referral, or walk-in pathways.
✔ Required documents include identification, insurance details, and medical records.
✔ Admission steps involve registration, assessment, financial clearance, ward allocation, and treatment.
✔ Discharge planning is crucial for continued outpatient care.
5. End of Lecture Quiz
1. What is the first step in the hospital admission process?
A) Payment confirmation
B) Registration and documentation
C) Surgery scheduling
D) Treatment initiation
Answer: B) Registration and documentation – This ensures the hospital has patient details before treatment begins.
6. Further Learning Resources
📌 SHA (Former NHIF) Healthcare Coverage: www.sha.go.ke
📌 Ministry of Health Kenya: www.health.go.ke
📌 Private Hospital Admissions: www.agakhospital.org
