Chapter 1: The Nursing Assistant in Long-Term Care

Chronic

Long-term or long-lasting health condition.

Acute care

24-hour skilled care provided in hospitals or surgical centers for short-term immediate needs.

Subacute care

Care in hospitals or LTCs for those needing more than chronic care but less than acute care.

ADLs

Activities of daily living.

Medicare

Federal health insurance for individuals 65+, certain disabilities, or permanent kidney failure.

Medicaid

Medical assistance program for low-income individuals or those with disabilities.

Policy

Standard course of action for specific situations.

Procedure

Method or way of performing a task.

Compassionate

Showing care, consideration, empathy, and understanding.

Empathy

Understanding and sharing others' feelings.

Sympathy

Sharing in others' feelings and difficulties.

Tactful

Showing sensitivity and appropriateness in interactions.

Conscientious

Acting based on a sense of right and wrong.

OBRA (omnibus budget reconciliation act)

Federal law setting standards for NA training, staffing, resident assessment, and resident rights.

Cite

Survey in healthcare.

Ombudsman

Legal advocate for LTC residents resolving disputes.

HIPAA

Federal law ensuring privacy of health information.

PHI

Protected Health Information.