HCA3103 Health Information Systems Exam#1 Keyword List

Flashcards covering key terms related to Health Information Systems, computer technology, data units, and healthcare regulations from the HCA3103 Tech Guide and Ch01-Ch03 lecture notes.

CPU

Central Processing Unit, the 'brain' of a computer responsible for executing instructions and processing data.

Primary storage

Volatile memory directly accessible by the CPU, such as RAM, used for short-term data storage.

Secondary storage

Non-volatile storage for long-term data retention, such as SSDs, hard drives, or USB drives.

Input / output/ communication technologies

Devices and systems used for interacting with a computer, transmitting data, and sharing information (e.g., keyboard, monitor, network cards).

Supercomputer

The fastest and most powerful computers, designed for highly complex calculations and processing vast amounts of data.

Mainframe computer

High-performance computers used by large organizations for critical applications requiring high reliability and security, processing large-scale transactions.

Virtual Reality

A simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world, often involving immersive sensory feedback.

Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU)

A digital circuit within the CPU that performs arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction) and bitwise logical operations.

Control Unit

A component of the CPU that directs and coordinates most computer operations, fetching instructions and controlling data flow.

Register

A small, high-speed storage location directly within the CPU, used to hold data temporarily during processing.

Cache memory

A small, very fast memory that stores frequently accessed data for quicker retrieval by the CPU, improving performance.

Moore’s law

The observation that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years, leading to exponential growth in computing power.

RAM

Random Access Memory, a type of volatile primary storage that can be read from and written to, used by the operating system and applications for active data.

ROM

Read-Only Memory, a type of non-volatile primary storage that typically contains firmware or essential boot instructions and cannot be easily modified.

SSD

Solid State Drive, a data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently, without moving parts.

Bit

The smallest unit of data in computing, represented as a 0 or 1.

Byte

A unit of digital information consisting of 8 bits.

Binary Number

A number expressed in the base-2 numeral system, representing values using two symbols: 0 and 1.

K Byte

Kilobyte, a unit of digital information equal to 1000 Bytes.

M Byte

Megabyte, a unit of digital information equal to 1000 KB or 1,000,000 Bytes.

G Byte

Gigabyte, a unit of digital information equal to 1000 MB or 1,000,000,000 Bytes.

T Byte

Terabyte, a unit of digital information equal to 1000 GB or 1,000,000,000,000 Bytes.

System Software

Software that manages and controls computer hardware and provides a platform for application software (e.g., operating systems, device drivers).

Application Software

Software designed to perform specific tasks or functions for the end-user (e.g., word processors, web browsers, EHR systems).

System Control Program

A program that manages and oversees the operations of a computer system, often a component of the operating system.

Operating system

System software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).

Multitasking

The ability of an operating system to allow a user to run more than one computer program or task concurrently.

Multiprocessing

The ability of a system to use more than one central processing unit (CPU) at a time to execute program instructions.

Virtual Memory

A memory management capability that uses hardware and software to allow a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data to disk storage.

Open Systems

Systems whose specifications are publicly available, allowing various components from different vendors to communicate and interact easily.

Proprietary Software

Software owned by an individual or company, with restrictions on its use, modification, and distribution.

Open-source software

Software with source code that is publicly available and can be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone.

Cloud computing

The delivery of on-demand computing services—from applications to storage and processing power—typically over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing.

SaaS

Software as a Service, a cloud computing model where software is licensed on a subscription basis and centrally hosted, accessible via a web browser.

Health Information Systems

Systems that integrate data, technology, and healthcare processes to manage and retrieve health information effectively for patient care and administrative functions.

Business Intelligence

Technologies, applications, and practices for the collection, integration, analysis, and presentation of business information to support better decision-making.

Clinical Intelligence

The ability to derive actionable insights from clinical data to improve healthcare outcomes, quality, safety, and efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions, including learning and problem-solving.

Health Informatics

The interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services, management, and planning.

Data

Raw, unorganized facts, figures, or observations without inherent meaning until processed.

Information

Data that has been processed, organized, structured, or presented in a given context to make it useful and understandable.

Knowledge

Information that has been interpreted, understood, and applied, often based on experience, leading to insights and informed decisions.

Governance

The framework of authorities and processes for decision-making and accountability, especially concerning information systems and data management.

HIPAA

Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, a US law enacted in 1996 for patient data privacy and security.

MACRA

Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, legislation enacted in 2015 that reforms Medicare's payment system for physicians toward value-based care.

DHS

Department of Health Services, a governmental agency responsible for public health and welfare programs at various levels.

Infrastructure

The underlying framework or basic structure of a computer system or organization, including hardware, software, networks, and facilities.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, storage devices, and peripherals.

Software

The programs and other operating information used by a computer to perform specific tasks.

Middleware

Software that connects separate applications or services, enabling them to exchange data and messages over a network.

Network

A group of connected computers and peripheral devices that can share resources and exchange data.

HER

Electronic Health Record, a digital version of a patient's comprehensive medical history, accessible across different healthcare settings.

Fee-for-service

A traditional healthcare payment model where services are unbundled and paid for separately; providers are paid for each service they provide.

Value-based care

A healthcare payment model that rewards providers for the quality of care they deliver, patient health outcomes, and efficiency rather than just the quantity of services.

Interoperability

The ability of different information systems, devices, or applications to connect, exchange, and use data in a coordinated manner within and across organizational boundaries.

integration

The process of combining different systems, applications, or components to function as a unified whole, often for seamless data sharing and workflow.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a leading national public health agency in the U.S. that protects America from health, safety, and security threats.

EDI

Electronic Data Interchange, the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format between trading partners.

Population Health Management

The overall management of health outcomes and risks for a defined group of individuals, aiming to improve health and reduce costs.