Abstract
a brief overview of a research study
Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
An advanced practice nurse who provides direct care to clients and participates in health education and research. (Masters degree)
Clincal practice guideline (CPG)
an evidence-based guide to clinical practice devleoped by experts in a particular field for direct application in clinical enviroments
Control group
subjects in an experiment who do not recieve the experimental treatment and whose performance provides a baseline against which the effects of the treatment can be measured. When a true experimental design is not used, this group is called a comparison group.
Data collection
the process of acquiring existing information or devleoping new information
Empirical
having a foundation based on data gathered through the senses (e.g. observation or experience) rather than purely through theorizing or logic.
Ethnography
a qualitative reseach method for the purpose of investigating cultures that involve data collection, description, and analysis of data to develop a theory of cultural behavior.
evidence-based practice
the process of systematically finding, appraising, and using research findings as the basis for clinical practice
experimental design
A design that includes randomization, a control group, and manipulation between or among variables to examine probability and causality among selected variables for the purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena.
generalizability
the inference that findings can be generalized from the sample to the entire population
grant
proposal devleoped to seek research funding from private or public agencies
grounded theory
a qualitatice research design used to collect and analyze data aiming to develop theories grounded in real-world observations.
Integrative Research Review (IRR)
methodology that simultaneously synthesizes several experimental and non-experimental research findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena of interest
meta-analysis
statistical method of quantitative synthesis of findings from several studies to determine what is known about a phenomenon
metasynthesis
interpretive translations produced from the integration or comparison of findings from qualitative studies
methodologic
research design used to develop the validity and reliability of instruments that measure research concepts and variables
Naturalistic paradigm
holistic view of nature and the direction of science that guides qualitative research
needs assessment
study in which the researcher estimates the resource needs of a group
peer review
a process by which a scholarly work (such as a paper or a research proposal) is checked by a group of experts in the same field to make sure it meets the necessary standards before it is published or accepted
practice guidelines
research-based recommendations stated as standards of practice, procedures, or decision algorithms
phenomenology
qualitative research design employing inductive descriptive methodology to describe the lived experiences of study participants
pilot study
conduct of a smaller version of a proposed study that develops or refines methodology prior to use in a larger study
qualitative research
systematic, subjective approach used to describe life experiences and give them meaning
quantitative research
formal, objective, systematic process used to describe and test relationships and examine cause-and-effect interactions among variables
quasi-experimental research
a type of quantitative research study design that lacks one of the components of an experimental design (i.e. randomization, control group, manipulation of one or more variables)
randomization
The assignment of subjects to treatment conditions in a random manner (determined by chance alone).
secondary analysis
A research design in which data previously collected in another study are analyzed for different aims than the original study
survey
a nonexperimental research design that focuses on obtaining information regarding the status quo of a situation, often through direct questioning of participants
Triangulation
the use of a variety of methods to collect data on the same concept
constituent
a citizen who has the oppertunity to vote for a candidates in elections for representation at the local, state, and federal levels
Constituent/State Nurses Association (C/SNA)
the professional organizational unit member of the American Nurses Association that represents all professional nurses within a state or territory or other defined organizational entity or boundary-also known as the state nurses association (SNA)
Grassroots lobbying
Personal advocacy by individual constituents- everyday citizens - in support of a problem/position/option related to a policy issue
Health Policy
A set course of actions undertaken by governments or health care organizations to obtain a desired outcome. Private health policy is made by health care organizations, such as hospitals, whereas public health policy refers to local, state, and federal legislation, regulations, and court rulings that govern health care within a certain arena.
Lobbying
Acting to persuade or educate policymakers to respond positively to a particular position or an issue or to follow a particular course of legislative, regulatory, or funding activity.
Platform
The statement of principles and policies of a political party, candidate, ot elected official
Policymaker
a local, state, or federally elected or appointed official who can propose and directly affect legislation, regulations, or programs that can become actualized
Regulations
rules used to implement legislation and translate concepts into actions that can be put into practice
Stakeholders
Individuals, groups, or organizations who have a vested interest in and may be affected by policy decisions and actions being taken, and thus may attempt to influence those decisions and actions.
Accountability
Being responsible for one's own actions; a sense of duty in performing nursing tasks and activities
Advance directives
Written or verbal instructions created by the patient describing specific wishes about medical care in the event he or she becomes incapacitated or incompetent. Examples include living wills and durable powers of attorney.
Breach of duty
occurs when one person or company has a duty of care toward another person or company, but fails to live up to that standard
Case law
body of written opinions created by judges in federal and state appellate cases; also known as judge-made law and common law
Civil Law
A category of law (tort law) that deals with conduct considered unacceptable. It is based on societal expectations regarding interpersonal conduct. Common causes of civil ligation include professional malpractice, negligence, and assualt and battery
Common Law
Law that is created through the decisions of judges as opposed to laws enacted by legislative bodies (e.g. Congress)
Comparative Negligence
A type of liability in which damages may be apportioned among two or more defendants in a malpractice case. The extent of liability depends on the defendant's relative contribution to the patient's injury.
Criminal negligence
Negligence that indicates "reckless and wanton" disregard for the safety, well-being, or life of an individual; behavior that demonstrates a complete disregard for another, such that death is likely.
Damages
Monetary compensation the court orders paid to a person who has sustained a loss or injury to his or her person or property through the misconduct (intentional or unintentional) of another.
Defendant
The individual who is named in a person's (plantiff's) complaint as responsible for an injury; the person who the plantiff claims committed a negligent act or malpractice
Disclosure
A process in which the patient's primary provider (physician or advanced practice nurse) gives the patient, and when applicable, family members, complete information about unanticipated adverse outcomes of treatment and care.
Durable power of attorney for health care
an instrument that authorizes another person to act as one's agent in decisions regarding health care if the person becomes incompetent to make his or her own decisions
Error
A failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or the use of a wrong plan to achieve a specific aim
Ethical issues
a problem that requires a person or organization to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical)
Gross negligence
A legal concept that means extreme carelessness showing willful or reckless disregard for the consequences to a person (patient).
Health care law
federal, state, and local laws and associated rules and regulations applicable to the health care industry and health care workers
Immunity
Legal doctrine by which a person is protected from a lawsuit for negligent acts or an institution is protected from a suit for the negligent acts of its employees
Legal liability
Failure of a person or an entity to meet legally defined responsibilities and allows a lawsuit for resulting damages
Liability
Being legally responsible for harm caused to another person or property as a result of one's actions; compensation for harm is normally monetary
Licensing laws
Laws that establish the qualifications for obtaining and maintaining a license to perform particular services. Persons and institutions may be required to obtain a license to provide particular health care services.
Malpractice
Failure of a professional to meet the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent member of his or her profession would exercise in similar circumstances that results in harm. The professional's misconduct is unintentional.
Negligence
Failure to act in a manner that an ordinary, prudent person (either a layperson or professional) would act in similar circumstances that results in harm. The failure to act in a resonable and prudent manner is unintentional
Nursing case law
the body of written legal opinions developed by judges through court decisions that eventually contribute to the expected standard of nursing conduct
Nursing malpractice
an incident in which a nurse fails to competently perform his or her legal duty owed to a patient and that failure harms the patient
Nursing Practice Act
The body of state law that sets out the scope of practice and responsibilities of the registered nurse in orer to protect the health and welfare of individuals or communities under the care of the registered nurse.
Plantiff
the complaining person in a lawsuit; the person who claims he or she was injured by the acts of another
Preventable adverse event
An injury caused by medical management rather than the patient's underlying condition. An adverse event attributable to error is a preventable adverse event.
Punitive damages
Monetary compensation awarded to an injured person (patient) that goes beyond that which is necessary to compensate for losses (e.g., the ability to function, death, income) and is intended to punish the wrongdoer.
Res ipsa loquitur
Legal doctrine applicable to cases in which the provider (i.e., the physician) had exclusive control of events that resulted in the patient's injury; the injury would not have occurred ordinarily without a negligent act; a Latin phrase meaning "the thing speaks for itself".
Respondent superior
Legal doctrine that holds an employer indirectly responsible for the negligent acts of employees carried out within the scope of employment; a Latin phrase meaning "let the master answer."
Risk management
Process of identifying, analyzing, and controlling risks posed to patients; involves human factor and incident analysis, changes in systems operations, and loss control and prevention.
Sentinel event
As defined by The Joint Commission, an unintended adverse outcome that results in death, paralysis, coma, or other major permanent loss of function. Examples of sentinel events include patient suicide while in a licensed health care facility, surgical procedure on the wrong organ or body side, or a patient fall.
Standard of care
In civil cases, the legal criteria against which the nurse's (and physician's) conduct is compared to determine whether a negligent act or malpractice occurred; commonly defined as the knowledge and skill that an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would possess and exercise in the same or similar circumstances.
Statute or statutory law
law enacted by a legislative body; separate from judge-made or common law
Strict liability
a legal doctrine, sometimes referred to as absolute liability, that can be imposed on a person or entity (e.g. hospital) without proof of carelessness or negligence.
Vicarious liability
legal doctrine in which a person or institution is liable for the negligent acts of another because of a special relationship between the two parties; a substituted liability.
Accountability
an ethical duty stating that one should be answerable legally, morally, ethically, or socially for one's activities
autonomy
personal freedom and the right of competent people to make choices
Beneficence
an ethical principle of compassion and patient advocacy, stating that one should do good and prevent or avoid doing harm
Bioethics
the study of ethical problems resulting from scientific advances
Code of ethics
a set of statements encompassing rules that apply to people in professional roles
Deontology
an ethical theory stating that moral rule is binding
Ethics
Science or study of moral values
Ethics acculturation
the didactic and experiential process of developing ethical reasoning abilities as a part of ongoing professional preparation
Fidelity
the agreement to keep promises and commitments, based on the virtue of caring
Justice
the equal and fair distribution of resources, regardless of other factors
Nonmaleficence
an ethical principle stating the duty to not inflict harm
Paternalism
on the basis of the health care provider's belief about what is in the best interest of the patient, he/she chooses to reveal or withhold patient information such as diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis
Rights of conscience
The civil right that protects conscientious health care providers against discrimination, allowing them the right to act according to the dictates of their consciences
Utilitarianism
an ethical theory stating that the best decision is one that brings about the greatest good for the most people
Values
Customs, ideas of life, and ways of behaving that society regards as desirable
Veracity
an ethical duty to tell the truth
Decision support tools
software programs that process data to produce or recommend decisions by linking with an electronic knowledge base controlled by established rules for combining data elements; the knowledge base and rules mimic the knowledge and reasoning an expert health professional would apply to data and information to solve a problem
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
The longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generates by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting; has the ability to support other care-related activity such as evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.
EHR (electronic health record) interoperability
EHR systems that have ability to share and transfer patient data seamlessly across health care systems and settings in a standardized manner that protects the reliability, confidentiality, privacy, and security of the information
EHR "meaningful use"
a defined set of EHR capabilities and standards that EHR systems must meet to ensure that their full capacity is realized and for the users to qualify for financial incentives from Medicare
Health Information Technology
the use of various forms of technology to improve the quality of health services to individuals and communities
information technology
the hardware and software that enable information to be stored, retrieved, communicated, and managed
point of care technology
technologies that allow real-time data retrieval, documentation, and decision support at the bedside or wherever direct care is provided
Active listening
the process of hearing what others are saying with a sense of seriousness and discrimmination
conflict
an experience in which there is stimultaneous arosal of two or more incompatible motives
filtration
unconscious exclusion of extraneous stimuli