Dynamics of Health Care Rutgers Exam

Accreditation

recognized by an outside agency as having standards that qualify graduates for professional practice.

Acculturation

A process by which a member of a minority group shifts his or her identity from the minority group to the dominant group and adopts the values, attitudes and behaviors of the dominant culture; also known as cultural assimilation.

Acute care facility

a health care facility that provides care for patients who have extremely serious, severe or painful conditions that require immediate medical attention.

administrative tasks

usually involve carrying out office procedures

advanced practice nurse

an RN who has more extensive education, training and a broader set of work responsibilities, which may include providing primary care

airborne disease

spread from person to person through droplets in the air

altruism

concern for the welfare and well being of others

assault

a threat or attempt to touch someone without consent

assisted living facility

a facility that generally provides houosing, group meals, personal care, support services and social activities in a community setting

autocratic leadership

a leadership style whereby the leader assumes complete control over the decisions and activities of the group

autonomy

the right to self-determination or personal independence

bacteriology

the study of bacteria

battery

an offensive touch or use of force on a nonconsenting person

biotechnology

the manipulation of genetic material in living organisms, or parts of living organisms to make product and services

blood borne disease

disease that is spread from person to person when an infected person's blood or certain other body fluids come into contact with the mucous membranes or bloodstream of an uninfected person.

body language

nonverbal commuinication that relays a messsage without speaking or writing a single word

cardiac catheterization

a procedure in which a tube is inserted into a vein and guided toward the heart to reveal blood vessel blockages

career ladder

a hierarchy of careers

CDC

a U.S. Government agency dedicated to the prevention and control of disease, injury and disability

certification

a credential from a professional organization that shows that a health care worker meets the requirements set by the certifying organization to demonstrate mastery of the job

CNA

a health care professional who performs simple, basic nursing functions such as ADLs, works under the direction of an LPN, or RN

chest physiotherapy

a variety of techniques used to eliminate secretions, re-expand lung tissue and promote efficient use of respiratory muscles

civil law

a body of law, sometimes referred to as private law that focuses on issues between private citizens such as medical malpractice

civil rights

the rights of personal liberty held by all US citizens and guaranteed by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress

Clinical Decision Support System

a computerized expert system that provides administrative, clinical, cost control and decision support for several activities in a health care institution.

clinical tasks

tasks that involve examining and helping treat patients

co-insurance

the percentage of the medical costs a patient may still have to pay once an insurance plan's deductible has been met

competence

the ability to perform specific functions accurately and in a timely manner

complementary therapies

treatment methods that typically promote healing through nutrition, exercise or relaxation (sometimes called alternative medicine)

Computerized physican/provider order entry system

a computerized system that allows licensed Health care professionals to enter medical orders, resulting in reduced errors

co-pay

a flat fee that many health insurance plans require patients to pay each time they receive a health care service

culture

a shared system of beliefs, values and behavioral expectations that provide social structure for daily living

cytology

the study of the structure of cells

deductible

the money a person must pay before an insurance policy provides benefits

defamation of character

the act of harmint another person's reputation by making false or malicious statements

democratic leadership

a leadership style that promotes a sense of equality between the leader and other participants by sharing decisions and activities among all members of the team.

dental assistant

a trained professional who assists a dentist and performs both clinical and administrative work under a dentist's supervision

dental hygienist

a trained professional who work under a dentist's supervision and provides a wide range of dental services focuses on preventing and treating tooth and gum disease.

diagnostic related broups

a classification system used by Medicare and Medicaid to determine payment for health services based on diagnosis, surgical procedures, age, etc.

diagnostic services

health care services that determine the presence, absence or extent of disease and provide data on the effectiveness of treatment

direct patient care

care that involves hands on contact with patient

direct payment

the act of paying for health care with one's own money

directive leadership

a leadership style whereby the leader assumes complete control over the decision and activities of the group

dominant group

the group within a society that tends to control that society's values

durable power of attorney for health care

a legal document that designates a person to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient in the event the patient becomes incapacitated

echocardiography

the use of ultrasound to examine the heart and blood vessels

elecdtrocardiogram

a test that records the electrical activity of the heart

EMR--electronic medical record

an electronic document that contains patient health information gathered from different sources

electrophysiology

the study of electrical activity in the body

embryo

the developing offspring during the first eight weeks of life

encryption

an electronic security feather that ensures that all email messages are scrambled and can't be ready by anyone other than the intended recipient

ethics

sets of guidelines set by professional organizations that determine right or wrong behavior

ethnicity

a sense of identification with a group based on a common heritage

ethnocentrism

the belief or assumption that a particular social or cultural group is superior in some way

Incident or exposure report

a document completed by health care providers when a patient or a provider has been exposed to a biohazard

Extended Care Facility

a facility that provides health care and help with the activities of daily living to people who may be physically or mentally unable to care for themselves--may be for days or for years

false imprisonment

an illegal act that occurs when an attempt is made to restrain an individual or restrict the persons freedom

familial

When a diseases tends to occur often in a particular amily

feedback

in communication, a response that is sent back to the sender

fetus

the developing child in the uterus from the beginning of the third month until birth

Flexible spending account FSA

a monetary account offered through an employer, into which money is put through payroll deductions before taxes. Fund may be used for qualified medical expenses but you must use it or lose it.

fluoroscopy

uses xray to observe movement in the body--as in GI tract

folk medicine

a form of prevention and treatment that uses old-fashioned remedies and household medicines handed down from generation to generation within a particular culture

gatekeeper

a physician who not only delivers primary care services, but also make referrals for specialty care

general practitioner

a physician who diagnoses and treats a variety of common health problems

germicidal

an infection control method that kills microorganisms (also bactericidal)

gestation

the period of development from conception to birth

government institution

a public health car facility that receives most of its funding from local, state, government sources (example: VA hospital, military hospital, state mental facility)

government plan

a health care plan funded by government agencies (Tricare--for military, Medicare, Medicaid)

Health care cost containment

measures designed to lower health care costs that aim to create an affordable health care system for all Americans. (ie Managed Care, DRGs)

health informatics

A broad category of health data and related health care occupations that uses information technology to manage and share files containing medical records, test results, prescription history, billing details.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: a law that was enacted to protect a patient's right to privacy

HMO

Health Maintenance Organization: Provides coverage only if the care is delivered by a member of the plan's hospital, physician or pharmacy panel.

HSA

Health Savings account: a monetary account commonly paired with a high deductible health insurance plan that allows individuals to pay for qualified medical care using tax-free HSA dollars until they meet their deductibles. Unlike the FSA--money left over can be rolled over to next year.

Hippocratic Oath

Written by Hippocrates and serves as a moral basis for many medical regulations and guidelines. "First Do No Harm!"

Histology

study of microscopic structure of tissue

holistic

treating both mind and body

Holter monitor

portable EKG device worn by patient

Home health care

care provided in a patient's home through community health departments, visiting nurses' associations, hospital based case managers and home health agencies.

Homeopathy

a holistic system of healing that focuses on stimulating the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances.

hospice

a care program focused on reducing pain stress and symptoms during the last stage of terminal illness

host

the person to whom a pathogen is transported after leaving the reservoir host

human rights

fundamental rights of all people

implied consent

when a patient gives permission for his or her care, but without a formal written agreement (ie when the patient offers the arm when the nurse comes in to take blood pressure)

incapacitated

being unable to make one's own medical decisions

independent living facility

a group of apartments or houses for residents who can take care of themselves and are mobile, yet need some help with daily activities; it may offer meals and other social activities in a community setting

informed consent

when a patient is presented with information regarding his or her care and voluntarily consents to particular treatments or procedures

initiative

the ability to act and make decisions without the help or advice of others

in-network provider

a health care provider who has a contract with a managed care insurance plan

inpatient

a person who remains in an acute care facility, such as a hospital, for more than 24 hours

in service education

on-site education and training provided by many hospitals and health care agencies for nurses or other employees

intentional torts

deliberate acts intended to do harm

interdisciplinary team

a group of health care professionals with varied medical educations, backgrounds and experiences who work together to deliver the best possible care for each patient.

intuitive problem solving

a problem solving method whereby a person instinctively, without logical thinking, identifies a solution to a problem based on its similarity or dissimilarity to other problems--Used often in healthcare based upon prior experiences -- realizing that patients are getting worse even before specifics symptoms arise.

invasive

medical procedure that requires entering the body by using a tube, needle or other device

kinesics

body movement, including facial expressions, gestures and eye movements

Laissez faire leadership

a leadership style whereby the leader hands power over to the group members (nondirective leadership)

legal guardian

someone appointed by a judge to act for another person (ie child or mentally incompetent adult)

libel

written damaging information about a person

LPN

A health care professional who performs many of the routine tasks of nursing under the direction of a physician or RN