Which level of health care includes acute care services?

The level of health care that includes acute care services is secondary care. This level is typically characterized by services that provide manage treatment for conditions that require a higher level of expertise and resources than what is available at the primary care level. These services often involve specialists and may include procedures such as surgeries, emergency services, and hospital inpatient care.

Secondary care serves as a bridge between the primary care providers, who manage general health, and higher-level care. It addresses acute illnesses and complications requiring urgent intervention that cannot be managed at the primary care level.

In contrast, primary care focuses on overall health maintenance, preventive care, and treatment for common conditions, while tertiary care involves advanced medical procedures and specialized consultative care for complex cases, typically requiring highly specialized facilities. Quaternary care further extends this idea, offering even more specialized services and treatments typically found in research or teaching hospitals.