Canadian Healthcare System and CST Cerner Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary terms covering the structure of the Canadian healthcare system, BC health authorities, CST Cerner technology, and interdisciplinary hospital roles.

Primary health care services

The first point of contact with the health care system that provides direct care and coordinates patient services to ensure continuity across the system.

Secondary health care services

Specialized medical services provided after a primary care referral, which can include elective care like cataracts or urgent care for fractures.

Tertiary care

A higher level of specialized care within a hospital requiring highly specialized equipment and expertise for procedures like dialysis or neurosurgery.

Quaternary care

An extension of tertiary care that is even more specialized and unusual, often involving experimental medicine or uncommon surgeries.

Canada Health Act

Federal legislation that sets and administers national principles for provincial and territorial health insurance plans to ensure reasonable access to medically necessary services.

Public Administration

A Canada Health Act principle requiring that provincial and territorial plans be operated on a non-profit basis by a public authority accountable to the government.

Comprehensiveness

A Canada Health Act principle requiring that health plans insure all medically necessary services provided by hospitals, medical practitioners, and dentists in hospitals.

Universality

A Canada Health Act principle entitling all insured persons to health insurance coverage on uniform terms and conditions.

Accessibility

A Canada Health Act principle requiring that insured persons have uniform access to hospital and physician services without financial or other barriers.

Portability

A Canada Health Act principle requiring that provincial plans cover persons when they move to another province in Canada or travel abroad.

Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)

A publicly funded health service provider in BC with a unique province-wide mandate for specialized health services like BC Cancer and the BC Centre for Disease Control.

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)

A health service delivery organization in BC responsible for administering health programs and services previously provided by Health Canada to First Nations people.

CST Cerner

A shared clinical information system used across VCH, PHSA, and PHC to replace outdated systems with a single electronic health record for patients.

Closed Loop Medication Management (CLMM)

A fully electronic medication management process that reduces transcription and administration errors by ensuring the right patient receives the right dose.

Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE)

A system where medications and instructions are entered directly into the clinical information system, becoming an immediate part of the patient record.

Bedside Medical Device Integration (BMDI)

A tool used to pull real-time vital signs and hemodynamic data from a bedside device or monitor directly into the patient's electronic chart.

Best Possible Medication History (BPMH)

A process completed by healthcare professionals to review and validate home medications for all inpatients.

Social Worker (SW)

An allied health professional who acts as a liaison between families and teams, assisting with financial aid, resources, and discharge planning for neglected populations.

Physiotherapist (PT)

A mobility expert who assesses strength and range of motion and provides therapy to improve functional mobility for safe discharge.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

A professional who assesses a patient's functional ability in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and determines the safety of their home environment.

Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

A specialist who assesses and treats swallowing disorders and determines appropriate food and liquid textures for patient safety.

Encounter

A single patient interaction involving a series of visits, such as a phone call or hospital admission, which must be registered in CST Cerner.

Alternate Level of Care (ALC)

An encounter type assigned when a patient occupies a hospital bed but no longer requires the intensity of resources provided in an acute care setting.

Medical Record Number (MRN)

The unique number used in PowerChart as the default search identifier to ensure the correct patient chart is accessed.

Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC)

A partnership between the Ministry of Health and private carriers that discounts transportation costs for residents traveling for non-local specialist services.

Specialized Non-emergency Transport (SNT)

A non-emergency hospital transfer service for patients who are unable to climb stairs but do not require the level of care of an ambulance.