Chapter 1 - Past and Present and the Healthcare Setting

AHA

American Hospital Association — an organization that represents hospitals and health care networks in the United States.

Ambulatory

Able to walk or move around independently; not confined to a bed or wheelchair.

Blood bank/Immunohematology

The area of laboratory medicine involving blood, blood components, blood typing, and compatibility testing for transfusions.

C&S

Culture and Sensitivity — testing used to identify microorganisms causing an infection and determine which antibiotics may effectively treat them.

CE

Continuing Education — educational activities completed to maintain or improve professional knowledge and skills.

Certificate of completion

A document showing that a person has successfully completed a specific course or training program.

Chemistry

The laboratory department that analyzes chemical substances in blood and other body fluids, such as glucose, electrolytes, and enzymes.

Ethical behavior

Conduct that follows accepted moral principles, professional standards, and rules.

Ethics

Principles that determine what is right, appropriate, and responsible behavior.

Gender identity

A person's internal sense of their gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth.

HCWs

Health Care Workers — people who provide health care or support health care services.

Hematology

The study and laboratory testing of blood and blood-forming tissues.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — U.S. law that protects the privacy and security of patients' health information.

Histology

The study of tissues and their microscopic structure.

HMOs

Health Maintenance Organizations — health insurance plans that generally use a network of providers and emphasize coordinated care.

CLIA '88

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 — federal regulations establishing quality standards for laboratory testing performed on human specimens.

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs.

Coagulation

The process by which blood forms a clot to stop bleeding.

Communication barriers

Factors that interfere with effective communication, such as language differences, hearing impairment, or cultural differences.

CPT

Current Procedural Terminology — standardized codes used to describe medical procedures and services for billing and documentation.

Cytogenetics

The study of chromosomes and their structure, number, and abnormalities.

Cytology

The study of individual cells, including their structure and abnormalities.

Empathy

The ability to understand and acknowledge another person's feelings or perspective.

ICD

International Classification of Diseases — a standardized system used to classify and code diseases, conditions, and health-related diagnoses.

Immunology

The study of the immune system and its responses to disease and foreign substances.

Kinesic slip

An unintentional body movement or gesture that may reveal a person's feelings or thoughts.

Kinesics

The study of body movements and gestures as a form of communication.

Licensure

Official permission granted by a government or regulatory authority to practice a profession.

MCOs

Managed Care Organizations — organizations that arrange or provide health care services while managing costs and quality of care.

Medicaid

A joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and certain other qualifying groups.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program primarily for people age 65 and older and certain younger people with qualifying disabilities or conditions.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

MLA

Medical Laboratory Assistant — a health care worker who performs tasks such as specimen collection, processing, and other laboratory support duties.

MLS

Medical Laboratory Scientist — a laboratory professional who performs and analyzes a wide range of complex laboratory tests.

MLT

Medical Laboratory Technician — a laboratory professional who performs routine laboratory testing under appropriate supervision.

NAACLS

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences — an organization that accredits educational programs in clinical laboratory sciences.

National certification

Professional certification demonstrating that an individual has met national standards of knowledge and competency in a field.

Nonambulatory

Unable to walk or move around independently; may require a wheelchair, stretcher, or assistance.

PHI

Protected Health Information — individually identifiable health information that is protected under HIPAA.

PHS

Public Health Service — a federal health service responsible for protecting and improving the health of the public.

Phlebotomist

A health care professional trained to collect blood specimens from patients.

Phlebotomy

The practice of collecting blood specimens, usually by venipuncture or skin puncture.

PPOs

Preferred Provider Organizations — health insurance plans that provide a network of preferred providers but generally allow patients to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost.

Primary care

First level of health care that focuses on routine care, prevention, and common health problems.

Proxemics

The study of how personal space and physical distance affect communication.

Reference laboratories

Laboratories that perform specialized or complex testing for other health care facilities or laboratories.

Secondary care

Health care provided by specialists, usually after referral from a primary care provider.

Serology

The study and testing of antibodies and antigens in blood serum.

TAT

Turnaround Time — the amount of time from when a specimen is received or testing begins until the test result is reported.

Overview

A general summary or broad description of a subject or topic.

Tertiary care

Highly specialized medical care, often provided at specialized hospitals or medical centers for complex conditions.

Third-party payer

An organization other than the patient or health care provider that pays for health care services, such as an insurance company or government program.

Transgender

A term for a person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

UA

Urinalysis — laboratory examination of urine to evaluate physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics.