Dynamics of Healthcare Vocabulary

stethoscope

An instrument that allows HCPs to listen to the internal sounds of a patient.

hospitals

An institution providing medical and surgical care and treatment, along with nursing care for sick, injured or ill people.

Sub acute care facility

Cares for a variety of patients, with complex medical rehabilitative needs.

Extended care facility

Provides health care and help with the activities of daily living to people of any age.

Rehabilitation centers

For physical and emotional rehab with the main goal to return patients to normal living.

hospice

A care program focused on reducing pain, symptoms and stress during the last stages of a terminal illness.

Complementary therapies

Uses holistic methods that can improve a person's health. Sometimes referred to as alternative medicine, these therapies typically promote healing through nutrition, exercise, or relaxation.

holistic

Treatments, usually tied to complementary therapies that treat both mind and body.

Hippocratic oath

Serves as a moral basis for many medical regulations and guidelines still in use today.

General Practitioner

A physician who diagnoses and treats a variety of common health problems.

homeopathy

A holistic system of healing that focuses on stimulating the body's ability to health itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances.

inpatient

A patient that stays over a 24 hour period in a hospital.

outpatient

A patient that stays less than 24 hours in a hospital.

prognosis

Medical opinion of the likely outcome of a condition or disease.

pandemic

Infectious disease that affects entire continents or even the entire world.

Assisted living

Generally provides housing, group meals, personal care, support services, and social activities in a community setting.

Acute care facility

type of hospital that provides short-term treatment for severe injury or illness

Home health care

support given by a professional to a patient in their own home

Independent living facility

A living community for older adults that does not provide assistance for living

microbiology

The branch of biology that studies microorganisms and their effects on humans

sphygmomanometer

A medical instrument to take blood pressure

Private insurance

Insurance individuals and companies voluntarily pay to cover unexpected losses.

premium

The amount you pay for your health insurance every month.

Direct pay

When patients pay for their healthcare with their own money (out of pocket).

Government plans

Health care plans funded by government agencies, available to military, personal dependants and veterans.

deductibles

The amount you must pay before you before receiving any benefits from your insurance company

co-pay

is a flat fee that you pay on the spot each time you go to your doctor or fill a prescription.

medicare

A federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65+ or under 65+ and have a disability no matter your income.

medicaid

a state federal program that provides health coverage if you have very low income.

Managed care

A system of healthcare in which patients agree to visit only certain doctors and hospitals, and in which the cost of treatment is monitored by a managing company.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

A network or organization that provides health insurance coverage for a monthly or annual fee. Made up of a group of medical insurance providers that limit coverage to medical care provided through doctors and other providers who are under contract with this plan

Preferred provider organization (PPO)

Patients can receive care outside their plan but will pay more out of pocket.

Point of service plans (POS)

A type of plan in which you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that belong to the plan's network. require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

This is a special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

A type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax abscess to pay for qualified medical expenses.

Co insurance

plan where the insured is still responsible for part of medical costs (10-30%)

Diagnostic related groups (DRG's)

classification system that forms standard fees for services based on average money per person in group (often used for medicare/medicaid)

Gatekeeper

someone who regulates access to medical care

Health care cost containment

measures designed to lower HC costs (Stay of patients, HCPs, insurance companies, employers, politicians, etc.

Proprietary institution

for profit HC facility usually owned by a corporation

In-network provider

providers in the plan

Resource utilization

time management

TRICARE

provides medical coverage for active retired military personnel and their dependents

Utilization review

process where insurer reviews decision by physician/provider about how much are to provide

Voluntary non-profit

community facility that receives federal/state/local tax exemptions in exchange for providing a community benefit (such as services to those unable to pay)

Laws

The system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the composition of penalties.

Civil law

(private law) issues between private citizens

Public law

Issues between government and citizens (criminal, constitutional, administrative)

tort

Wrongful act that results in harm for which restitution must be made (penalties are generally fines rather than prison)

negligence

careless/senseless behavior that results in harm.

malpractice

Any illegal, unethical, negligent, or immoral behavior that results in a failure of duties/responsibilities.

Informed consent

When patients are given information and voluntarily consent to medical treatment/procedure (usually written and care is not given without it and is required for any/all procedures/treatments that pose a risk).

Implied consent

Not written but gives permission to aid someone, permission is assumed if they are unconscious.

Good samaritan laws

Legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are injured, ill, in peril, or otherwise incapacitated. The protection is intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Prevents personal health information from being shared without written consent (signature required)

Advanced directive

A living will that allows you to document your wishes concerning medical treatments at the end of life.

ethics

Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conduct of an activity.

Non maleficence

The obligation of the physician not to harm the patient

beneficence

Promotes actions that will support others

autonomy

The right to self-determination or personal independence.

justice

Giving each person what he or she deserves or in more traditional terms, giving each person his or her due.

professionalism

A set of values, behavior, and relationships that create a foundation on which patient and colleague trust is formed.

Professional associations

An organization with members who work in or share an interest in a specific job field or industry.

Assault

a threat or attempt to touch a patient without their permissions (by law, a competent adult has the right to refuse medical care)

Battery

when a non consenting patient is actually touched against their will

Civil rights

basic rights held by all U.S. citizens

Common law

traditional civil law of an area or region resulting from rulings by judges on individual cases

Constitutional rights

rights afforded by the U.S. constitution

Defamation of character

making false/malicious statements that do harm to a person's reputation - attacks on personal character

Durable power of attorney for health care

designates a person to make decisions for an incapacitated patient

False imprisonment

any attempt to restrain/restrict the freedom of a patient

Human rights

fundamental rights of all people regardless of citizenship

Incapacitated

unable to care for ones self

Intentional torts

forcing unwanted care unto a patient/intentional acts of harm

Invasion of privacy

disclosing private information without consent

Legal guardian

appointed by judge to act for another person (minor, mentally incompetent)

Libel

written

Litigation

legal proceeding in a court - can be unintentional errors (accidents) or life ending mistakes

Living will

steps to save/prolong life (goes into effect when patient is incapcitated)

Restitution

Compensation

statutory law

laws enacted by federal/state/local legislators and enforced by court system

Slander

Spoken

Unintentional torts

accidents/mistakes (negligence) that results in harm

Wards

person under legal guardianship

Preserve life

HCP's must act in a way to save a life, but also know policies in place for ending a life and the steps that follow

Do good

HCP's should only act for the good of others, taking into consideration the good and the risks

Respect autonomy

HCP's need to respect the patient's ability to determination of treatment (able to influence treatment) without outside influences

Uphold justice

everyone should be treated equally and fairly, no matter their differences or current situation

Be honest

every patient deserves the truth and should always be told all the information known

Keep promises

HCP's must keep promises regardless of payment, expectations for payment, or personal characteristics. HCP's must be fully dedicated to providing best care to all patients

Do no harm

HCP's should always act in benefit of the patient. They should never do actions that endanger patients (needless harm and injury

Be discreet

medical/personal info must remain private and sharing this info is never ok

Health disparities

Preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are expected by socially disadvantaged populations.

Social determinants of health

The economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status.

culture

Shared system of beliefs, values and behavioral expectations that structure daily living.

ethnicity

Involves a sense of identity within a group- based on common heritage.

Cultural assimilation/acculturation

When a minority group adopts values, attitudes and beliefs of the dominant culture.

ethnocentrism

Prejudice against certain groups leads to/results from stereotypes- mistaken perceptions typically rooted in strong feelings and lack of knowledge.

Folk medicine

Form of prevention and treatment that uses old fashioned remedies handed down through cultures.

Cultural diversity

characterized by a wide range of distinctions such as race/nationality, religion, language, gender/sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, geographic location, etc.