Chapter 4: The Healthcare Delivery System

Flashcards covering the foundational vocabulary and organizational concepts of the healthcare delivery system from Chapter 4.

Accreditation

A process that applies to institutions and results in documentation attesting to the attainment of certain minimum standards.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Also known as "Obamacare," this federal health insurance facilitates access to healthcare for more individuals.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

An organization that establishes minimum standards for certification and conducts qualifying examinations for the RT designation.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)

The oldest and largest national professional association of imaging sciences.

Credentials

Documents that attest to the qualifications of individuals, such as licenses, registrations, or certifications.

Diagnostic

A department or service related to the identification of a patient's disease or condition.

Fee-for-service

An insurance system where you pay all upfront or the insurance covers some and you cover the rest.

Fellow

A doctor at a high level of training who takes care of patients as part of a specialty program.

Health maintenance organization (HMO)

An insurance system that is cheaper in cost but limited in services, typically offering services "in-house."

Hospitalist

An attending physician who takes care of patients exclusively while they are in the hospital.

Intern

A doctor at an early level of training who helps provide patient care.

Managed care system

A healthcare system based on membership or cooperatives.

Medicaid

Federal health insurance for individuals with income limits.

Medicare

Federal health insurance for individuals who are $65$ years and older.

Mission statement

A 1 or 2 paragraph declaration of health care philosophy and goals to meet patients’ needs.

Preferred provider organization (PPO)

An insurance system with higher costs but more services available to the patient.

Radiologist

A physician who specializes in diagnostic imaging and interprets medical images.

Resident

A doctor at an intermediate level of training who takes care of patients within a hospital.

Therapeutic

A department or service related to the treatment of any disease or condition.

HMO Service Limitation

This type of insurance is typically limited to "in house" services.

Managed-care membership

This type of healthcare delivery system is organized via a membership or co-op structure.

Private Facilities

Healthcare institutions, such as CHI Memorial, that are owned by private entities and operate for profit.

Public Facilities

Non-profit healthcare institutions, such as the VA or Indian Health Service.

Not-for-profit Facilities

Institutions like Johns Hopkins or Kaiser Permanente where the owners do not make a profit.

Proprietary Facilities

Healthcare facilities that are owned by private entities and are for profit.

Surgery centers

A type of healthcare facility categorized as an outpatient center.

Insurance Coding

The process where service must match the bill (code) or insurance will deny payment.

Religious Hospital Mission Statement

A declaration that might include religious references to meet patients' needs.

Indian Health Service Mission Statement

A declaration that might include traditional native medicine practices as part of its community goals.

JRCERT

The Joint Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology, which accredits educational programs in imaging sciences.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

An organization that accredits hospitals, formerly known as JCHAO.

CMS Accreditation

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which also have accreditation standards for hospitals.

Emergency-department physician

A physician specialty centered on providing immediate care in the ER.

Family-practice physician

A physician specialty focused on general practice for all ages.

Gastroenterologist

A physician specialist focused on the digestive system.

Geriatrician

A physician specialist focused on the care of elderly patients.

Gynecologist

A physician specialist focused on the female reproductive system.

Intensivist

A physician specialty that manages patients in the intensive care unit.

Obstetrician

A physician specialist focused on pregnancy and childbirth.

Oncologist

A physician specialist focused on the treatment of cancer.

Ophthalmologist

A physician specialist focused on eye care and surgery.

Otorhinolaryngologist

A physician specialist focused on the ear, nose, and throat (ENT).

Pathologist

A physician specialist who studies disease and analyzes medical laboratory samples.

Pediatrician

A physician specialist focused on the medical care of children.

Pulmonologist

A physician specialist focused on the respiratory system.

Psychiatrist

A physician specialist focused on mental health.

Abdominal Surgeon

A surgical specialist focused on procedures within the abdominal cavity.

Plastic Surgeon

A surgical specialist focused on restorative or cosmetic procedures.

Neurologic Surgeon

A surgical specialist focused on the brain and nervous system.

Orthopedic Surgeon

A surgical specialist focused on the musculoskeletal system.

Thoracic Surgeon

A surgical specialist focused on the chest and heart area.

Referring Physician

The doctor who orders patients to be admitted to the hospital or orders medical procedures.

Attending Physician

The specific doctor who takes care of the patient during their hospital stay.

Physician Assistant (PA)

An individual with a master’s degree who delivers doctoral care under the supervision of an M.D.

Nurse Practitioner

An individual with a master's degree in a specialty field qualified to deliver doctoral care under M.D. supervision.

"C" Suite

The high-level executive management of a hospital, including titles such as CEO, COO, and CFO.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The highest-ranking administrative officer in the hospital's organizational chart.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The executive responsible for the daily operations and business development of the hospital.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The executive in charge of the hospital's financial planning and services.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The executive responsible for the hospital's information technology and systems.

Medical Officer

A member of the "C" suite responsible for overseeing medical affairs.

Director of Nursing

An administrative role responsible for managing nursing services.

Director of Imaging Services

The administrative leader responsible for the diagnostic imaging department.

Director of Emergency Services

The administrative leader responsible for ER operations.

Admissions Department

A hospital support service responsible for processing incoming patients.

Computed Tomography (CT)

A common hospital department providing diagnostic patient services.

Dietary Department

A support service department responsible for food and nutrition.

Accounting Department

A hospital support service responsible for financial record-keeping.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

A diagnostic department that monitors heart activity.

Occupational Therapy

A therapeutic service focused on rehabilitating patients through daily tasks.

Central/Sterile Supply

A support service department responsible for cleaning and distributing hospital equipment.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A diagnostic department that monitors brain activity.

Human Resources

A support service department responsible for managing hospital staff.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A high-tech diagnostic department using magnetic fields for imaging.

Physical Therapy

A therapeutic service focused on improving patient mobility and physical function.

Nuclear Medicine

A diagnostic and therapeutic department using radioactive substances for imaging and treatment.

Respiratory Therapy

A therapeutic service focused on helping patients with breathing disorders.

Sonography

A diagnostic department that uses sound waves for imaging.

Radiology Manager

The individual who oversees the operations and staff of the imaging department.

Chief Radiographer

A role also known as the department coordinator or lead technologist.

Staff Radiographer

A technologist responsible for performing imaging procedures on patients.

Imaging Support Staff

Roles within the imaging department such as transporters and administrative assistants.

Professionalism in Healthcare

Knowledge passed from master to student involving a commitment to truth and teaching and care.

Peer-reviewed journals

A publication standard expected of a profession to advance and review its knowledge base.

ISRRT

The International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists, consisting of over $70$ national organizations.

AHRA

American Healthcare Radiology Administrators, a professional organization for specific interests.

ACERT

Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology.

AEIRS

Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Science.

SDMS

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

SNM

Society of Nuclear Medicine.

AVIR

Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers.

ASRT Practice Standards

A written statement describing the radiographer's duties, technical activities, and clinical practice.

Registered Technologist (RT) designation

The title used by applicants who pass the ARRT qualifying examinations.

RT Employment Growth Projection

Employment for RTs is projected to grow by $12\%$ between $2016$ and $2026$.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

$24$ units that are due every two years after passing the ARRT (R) exam.

CEU Frequency

ARRT credentials require continuing education units every two years.

"Baby Boomers" Impact

One reason for increased RT demand is the increasing age of this large generation.

Radiology Manager Degree Requirement

Higher level administration and radiology management usually require a minimum of a bachelor's or master's degree.

Imaging Program Director

A career ladder role in education that usually requires a master's degree.

Commercial Imaging Jobs

Careers in equipment sales and applications that commonly require a bachelor's degree.