nonpatient

Nonpatient is a term used in medical and administrative contexts to denote a person who is not currently a patient of a healthcare provider. The designation can apply to someone not seeking or receiving medical treatment at a given time, or to an individual who is in a facility for nonclinical reasons. In medical records and hospital systems, distinguishing patients from nonpatients helps organize workflows, consent processes, and billing.

Common examples include visitors, family members, or caregivers accompanying a patient; participants in health education activities; volunteers; or members of the public engaging with a clinic for administrative matters, such as scheduling or providing information. In research settings, nonpatients may be individuals who participate in a study but are not patients receiving therapeutic care.

The usage of nonpatient varies by country and institution, and not all systems use the term. In many cases, more specific labels such as visitor, accompanying person, or nonclinical participant are preferred. The term should be applied with care to avoid ambiguity about medical status, privacy, or consent.