Glossary Flashcards
account number
The number assigned to a patient to reference the care of that patient for the current visit. The account number is sometimes referred to as an encounter number, accession number, or registration number in different information systems.
active directory (AD)
The Microsoft database managed by the domain controller that system administrators use to control access to the Windows domain. Active directory contains information about users, groups of users, computers on the domain, organizational units, and configuration data.
active server pages (ASP or ASP.NET)
A server-side, HTML-embedded scripting language used to create dynamic web pages. ASP is provided by Microsoft.
acuity
The level of severity of an affliction.
acute care
Care that is given short term and for severe afflictions. For example, a patient experiencing a heart attack goes to an acute care facility.
ad hoc
A network that is wireless, decentralized, temporary, and a peer-to-peer connection.
Adobe Flash
A plug-in or add-on to a browser used to add multimedia graphics to web pages.
adult day care facility
A facility that offers medical and nursing supervision of adults. Patients cannot be at one of these facilities for longer than 12 hours in one day.
advanced encryption standard (AES)
An encryption cipher that uses a block length of 128 bits. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) adopted AES as an encryption standard.
ambulatory care facility
A facility used for outpatient services. Basically, if patient care takes less than 24 hours, the patient goes to an ambulatory care facility rather than a hospital.
ambulatory surgery center
A facility used for surgical procedures in outpatient services.
anesthesiologist
A physician who is trained in anesthesia and perioperative medicine. Anesthesia means to block sensation to prevent a patient from feeling pain; for example, during a surgery.
antispyware
A program designed to prevent spyware from being installed on a computer
application program interface (API)
A segment of programming code that can be used by many programs. An API can be a routine, protocol, or tool used to build a software application.
application service provider (ASP)
A vendor that offers an IS provided remotely.
assisted living residence
A facility that offers an apartment-style living situation for patients or residents who need assistance in daily activities. Most assisted living residences have different levels of assistance. A resident might live independently where help is available only if needed, or a resident lives in an apartment, but almost everything is done for the resident.
audit trail
A record of activity in an IS. Audit trails typically record the activity along with a time and date stamp and the username performing the activity.
automated dispensing cabinet (ADC)
An electronic cabinet with drawers containing medications that are placed throughout the hospital for convenient access by healthcare providers to quickly administer medicines.
badge
A card with a magnetic strip or chip that identifies the person assigned to the card.
billing and coding software
Software that receives data from a patient’s EHR/EMR, converts the data into billable items, and submits the bill to the insurance company for reimbursement.
biometric scanner
A device used to identify a person based on biological data.
birth center
A facility that offers services for prenatal and labor and delivery low-risk patients. This can be a department of a hospital or a separate facility.
blood pressure cuff
A device used to measure blood pressure. Also called BP cuff, vitals cuff, or sphygmomanometer.
blood work
Examination of a blood sample to test for certain diseases, medications, or other data.
Bluetooth
A wireless communication protocol used to connect personal devices over short distances.
break the glass access
A username and password reserved for emergency use to access patient information.
business associate agreement (BAA)
A contract used between healthcare entities and third parties to establish a mutual understanding of safeguards of e-PHI.
card or badge scanner
A device used for security and convenience that scans a card or badge to transfer data or detect identity.
change advisory board (CAB)
The board within an IT company that decides if a change management request is a benefit to the company or a liability. Also called a governance board.
change management
A process to define a change needed, the steps to take to complete it, the results of the change, and the time frame for completion. Also called change control.
chief complaint
The primary reason a person goes to the ED.
client-server architecture
A network architecture in which client computers rely on services or resources provided by a server computer.
clinical department
A department in a healthcare facility that offers specific medical services for patient care, treatment, or diagnosis. Sometimes called ancillary departments.
clinical IS
An information system directly related to the care of patients. Examples are the information systems for radiology, lab, surgery, pharmacy, and order entry.
cloud computing
Applications and data stored on remote computers on the Internet made available through a browser.
code blue
A code usually used to indicate a patient is in critical condition and requires immediate intervention.
coding
When a patient goes into cardiac arrest where the heart stops beating. Sometimes referred to as code blue.
cold feed
The real-time transfer of data from a source IS to a destination IS that does not receive acknowledgment of receipt of data. The data transfer is not guaranteed in a cold feed. Other data transfers require a receipt of data acknowledgment, called an ACK message, that guarantees the data was received.
communications protocol
The format and rules for exchanging digital messages between information systems.
computed tomography (CT)
Imaging that uses X-rays along with computing algorithms. A patient lies down in a CT machine while the CT machine rotates around the patient producing cross-sectional images (tomography) of the patient’s body.
computerized physician order entry (CPOE)
An order entry system designed specifically for doctors’ use.
consultation
When a doctor seeks the expertise of another doctor in a specialized field.
continuity of care document (CCD)
A version of a patient’s record for transferring relevant data. A CCD is easily read by both a person or an IS.
continuity of care record (CCR)
A collection of CCDs
controlled substance
A drug or substance regulated by the government.
covered entity
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is designed to protect health information used by health insurance plan providers, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers. These three entities are classified as covered entities. Basically, a covered entity is anyone or any organization required to submit to HIPAA rules.
current procedural terminology (CPT)
Coding system maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA) to represent procedures or treatments offered by healthcare providers.
dashboard
An application’s graphic user interface (GUI) that provides status information at a quick glance and commands to manage the application.
data encryption standard (DES)
An outdated block cipher that uses a 64-bit cipher block and a 56-bit key.
database administrator (DBA)
The HIT personnel responsible for the management of the databases in the information systems used in a facility.
default gateway
The IP address of a router that should receive all requests for communication with computers outside the local network.
dental assistant (DA)
A healthcare provider who helps a dentist perform procedures and prepare patients for dental procedures.
dermatology
The study of the skin and its conditions, including scalp, hair, and nails.
desktop support technician
The HIT personnel responsible for the support of computers and certain peripheral devices in the facility.
dictation
A typed transcript of a recorded healthcare provider’s oral report of patient care as spoken into a voice recorder.
digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM)
The healthcare industry standard for medical digital imaging. DICOM is designed specifically for image handling, storing, printing, or transmitting. The file extension for this format is .dcm.
discretionary access control (DAC)
A security mechanism where a user has control to grant access to resources owned by the user account.
disk image
The contents of a hard drive including configuration settings and applications stored so the contents can be replicated to another computer.
document scanner
A device used to scan paper documents into an electronic image or document.
domain controller
The server that administers the user account information, authenticates usernames and passwords, and enforces security policy.
domain name service (DNS)
A service that resolves domain names into the IP address that the network uses to reach the correct computer on the network.
dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)
The service running on a router or other network device that automatically assigns an IP address to a computer or device when it joins the network.
dynamic IP address
An IP address assigned by DHCP
electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
A test that indicates problems with the electrical activity of the heart.
electroencephalogram (EEG)
A test that measures the frequency of brain waves.
electronic health record (EHR)
Information about a patient’s care and health collected and stored electronically. This record is not limited to the visits at only one hospital but is a collection of all visits at all hospitals. The term EHR is sometimes used interchangeably with electronic medical record (EMR), although the two terms are not exactly the same.
electronic MAR (eMAR)
The medication administration record (MAR) recorded electronically using hand-held scanners at several locations from the pharmacy to the patient bedside.
electronic medical record (EMR)
Information about a patient’s care and health that was previously captured on paper forms and charts, collected from all visits at one hospital and stored in an EMR IS. The term EMR is sometimes used interchangeably with Electronic Health Record (EHR), although the two terms are not exactly the same.
electronic protected health information (e-PHI)
HIPAA protects the electronic information that can be used to identify an individual. e-PHI is information created, used, or disclosed about a patient while providing healthcare.
eligible provider
Hospitals or professionals participating in incentive programs must meet meaningful use criteria to be eligible to receive incentive money.
emergency department (ED)
The department in a healthcare facility that treats patients with acute and sudden afflictions. The ED is often referred to as the emergency room (ER) by nonmedical people, but in the healthcare world, it is called the ED.
emergency department IS (EDIS)
The information system that manages patient flow, orders, patient history, record healthcare providers’ notes on the patient’s visit, and more in the ED. The stage of a patient’s visit to the ED, who is caring for the patient, and other information are displayed on the tracking board from the EDIS for convenient reference to a healthcare provider’s current caseload.
e-prescribing software
Software used by physicians to electronically write prescriptions for patients.
evaluation and management (E/M) codes
Subcategory of CPT codes that are used to describe the level of care provided to a patient
examination
When a healthcare provider evaluates a patient and his medical conditions. This might include tests for a complete understanding of the cause of the symptoms. Also called exam.
extensible markup language (XML)
A markup language used to write a new markup language. Using XML, you can create your own HTML tags.
fetal monitor
A device used to monitor a baby before birth, usually recording the baby’s heartbeat.
fiber optic
Strings of glass or plastic in a cable where data is sent as pulses of light. Also called fiber.
file transfer protocol (FTP)
A method to communicate over a network electronically. This communication method enables documents to be placed on and copied from a remote server. FTP is great for sharing large files with other people who also have access to the FTP server.
file transfer protocol (FTP)
A protocol standard for exchanging files over the Internet or an intranet.
gastroenterology
The study of the digestive system and its disorders.
general acute care hospital
A facility that offers diagnosis, treatment, or care for patients in a variety of specialties. Patient care is uniquely approached and not all patients are there for the same type of care.
glucose monitor
A device used to measure the amount of glucose in a blood sample.
governance board
See change advisory board (CAB).
graphics interchange format (GIF)
An image file format that supports data compression and animation. GIF supports only 256 colors, so some quality is lost on colored images. The file extension for this format is .gif.
hacker
An individual who maliciously attempts to access electronic information he is not authorized to view.
health information exchange (HIE)
Sharing of patient information among multiple providers. These providers do not need to work in the same hospital to have access to patient information. Currently, this is typically done for hospitals in close geographic locations, but the goal is to make HIE nationwide.
Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act
An act of the U.S. congress enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Its purpose is to promote the meaningful use of technology in healthcare so that technology ultimately results in improved healthcare for the patient.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
A law created in 1996 to provide a standard set of rules that all covered entities must follow to protect patient health information and to help healthcare providers transition from paper to electronic health records.
Health Level 7 (HL7)
The standard protocol of formatting a message for healthcare interfacing. HL7 is ANSI certified. HL7 operates at the seventh or application layer of the OSI communication model.
healthcare clearinghouse
A business that receives healthcare information and translates that information into a standardized format to be sent to a health plan provider. A healthcare clearinghouse is sometimes called a billing service. Basically, a healthcare clearinghouse is a middle person that processes healthcare information.
healthcare IT (HIT)
The personnel, equipment, and procedures that provide and support the computer systems used in the healthcare environment
healthcare provider
A qualified person or facility that provides healthcare to patients; for example, a doctor, nurse, or hospital.
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit
Equipment designed to regulate temperature and humidity
home health agency
An organization that offers preventative, rehabilitation, and therapeutic care to patients in their homes.
hospice agency
An organization that offers medical, nursing, social work, and counseling to terminally ill patients in their homes or as an inpatient hospice service at a facility.
hospital information system (HIS)
The primary information system used to manage data flow and maintain databases in a hospital. An HIS usually manages patient administration and order entry. HIS is sometimes called a healthcare information system (HIS).
hot swappable
A device or piece of equipment that does not require a reboot to establish a connection and function.
hypertext markup language (HTML)
A common markup language used for developing web pages.
hypertext preprocessor (PHP)
An open source, server-side, HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic web pages.
hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
An application protocol that defines how data is sent to and from a web server on the web.
hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)
A secure version of HTTP that encrypts data sent to and from a web server.
ICD-10
HIPAA mandated a standard electronic format for provider and diagnostic codes. The new standard is intended to grow with the functional needs of the healthcare industry.
ICD-9
HIPAA mandated a standard format for electronic provider and diagnostic codes. The current standard has limitations that restrict the full use of EMR/EHR software.
IEEE 1394
A standard for a hot-swappable port generally used for transferring multimedia data. Also called Firewire.
information system (IS)
A computerized system used to facilitate the functions of an organization. An IS is a group of components that collect, process, store, and communicate information