ambulatory

Ambulatory is an English term with several related uses. In general, it denotes movement by walking. As an adjective it describes something that relates to walking or to travelers who move from place to place. In medicine, ambulatory describes care or patients who do not require hospital admission. Ambulatory care comprises diagnostic and therapeutic services delivered on an outpatient basis, such as primary care, minor procedures, and preventive services. Ambulatory surgery centers provide same-day surgical procedures with discharge on the same day. In hospital terminology, an ambulatory patient is one who is not admitted overnight; ambulatory status contrasts with inpatient.

Ambulation is the act of walking, including assessment of a patient’s ability to ambulate, use of assistive devices, and gait analysis. Rehabilitation often focuses on restoring ambulation after injuries or neurological events.

In architecture and ecclesiastical contexts, an ambulatory is a covered passage around a central space, typically behind the altar or surrounding a choir or cloister. It serves as a circulation route and display area for chapels. The term derives from Latin ambulare, to walk.

Usage notes: the term is distinct from mobile or portable, though related through the sense of movement. In modern healthcare, ambulatory services and ambulatory care management emphasize efficiency and outpatient convenience, with a focus on patient education, discharge planning, and follow-up.