Medical Assisting CH1

Hartman's Medical Assisting: The Basics

Capillary Puncture

The puncture of a patient’s skin for the purpose of collecting a blood specimen from the capillaries beneath the puncture site; also called dermal puncture

Venipuncture

The puncture of a vein with a hollow needle for the purpose of extracting a blood specimen

Family Practice

A branch of medicine focused on care for the whole family from birth to death

Emergency Medicine Specialist

Physicians who work in emergency rooms or trauma centers and treat patients experiencing unexpected, acute illness or injury

Outpatient

Word used to describe medical settings that do not require overnight stays and the care provided in these settings

Inpatient

Word used to describe a hospital setting and care provided in a hospital

Point-of-Care Testing

A category of diagnostic test that can be performed at the patient’s side; finger stick blood glucose testing is an example

Clinical

A word used to describe tasks relating directly to patient care

Coding

The use of established codes to document medical care provided

Administrative

A word used to describe tasks related to the business and customer service operations of a medical office or other healthcare facility

Preventative Care

Care provided with an emphasis on staying healthy and avoiding serious injury or illness

Ambulatory Care

Care give without a patient being admitted into the hospital

Patient Navigator

One role often filled by medical assistants, assists patients as they interact with the healthcare system, acting as a guide

Telehealth

A method of providing healthcare services via telephone or a video connection

Pediatrician

A physician who provides preventative care and treatment to children from birth through adolescence; the branch of medicine is called pediatrics

Internal Medicine

A branch of medicine focused on providing preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment for adults of all ages; providers may be called internists (usually means you’re in the hospital, may also d rounds, and some are both internists and family medicine doctors)

Geriatric Medicine

A branch of medicine focused on preventive care and treatment for adults 65 years of age or older

General Surgeon

A physician trained to perform surgery on all body systems; may also provide pre- and post-operative care

Continuing Education (CE)

In health care, education intended to keep healthcare workers up-to-date on changes in medicine that affected their jobs; it may address new equipment, new procedures, or policy changes, or provide a review of important topics

Professionalism

Behaving properly while on the job

Scope of Practice

The roles, responsibilities, and procedures that are within the knowledge, training, and legal definition of a profession

Chain of Command

The line of authority at a facility: provides a clear line of authority, protects employers and employees from liability, helps to ensure patients get proper health care

Delegate

To assign appropriate tasks to another person

Joint Commission

An independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits healthcare organizations

Primary Care Provider

A healthcare practitioner who supervises and coordinates all the patient’s medical care

Patient-Centered Medical Home

A healthcare model outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, developed to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care; emphasizes coordination by a primary care provider; also knowns as primary care medical home

5: Comprehensive care, patient-centered care, coordinated care between providers, efficiency of care, safe and high quality care

Registered

Licensed individual vouched for you, your mistakes reflect on them

Certified

You’ve earned your license