Academy
Higher education in general with an emphasis on the institution as a society of scholars, scientists, and artists
Accounts payable
the
... [Show More] monies that are owed to companies such as vendors and suppliers for items purchased on crdit
Advanced Practice Nurse
Nurses educated at the graduate level and authorized to practice as a specialist with advanced expertise in a specialty of nursing
Adverse event
an unintended and unfavorable event associated with the provision of medical care, use of a medical product or treatment protocol
Ancillary systems
software application used by patient care support departments such as laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy
Application
A software program designed to help the user to perform specific tasks
Application service provider (ASP)
A company, located remotely, that hosts an electronic health record or departmental system solution for a healthcare enterprise and provides access to the application via a secure network
Architecture
The formal description and design of information technology components, the relationships among them, and their implementation guide
Attributes
the characteristics of properties of the components of a system. Attributes are sued to describe a system
Availability
A general term used to describe the amount of time that computer system resources are available to users. This is usually calculated for a one-year period
Avatar
A graphic image representing a person or other entity, usually on the Internet or in a video game
Backcasting
A technique for predicting the future by envisioning a desired future endpoint and then working backward to determine what actives and policies would be required to achieve that future
Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA)
a method for administering medications using medication administration software, bar codes, and scanners with the goal of reducing errors during the medication administration process
Bayesian knowledge base
A knowledge base built using decision trees and branch of statistical inference that permits the use of prior knowledge in assessing the probability of an event in the presence of new data. For example, if a patient has a fever and increased white blood cells, the Bayesian knowledge base provides the probability that the patient has an infection versus another disorder that also creates an inflammatory process
Best of breed
An approach to selecting applications involving reviewing vendors' products to determine the best for a department or setting. When this approach is used, each department selects the "best" and the organization is tasked with achieving interoperability among them all.
Big bang
A go-live approach in which all applications or modules are implemented at once
Big data
Very large datasets
Biomedical informatics
The interdisciplinary scientific field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, and decision making, motivated by efforts to improve human health (AMIA)
Bolt-on system
A software program or application that is used in association with a larger application to give users their full required functionality. users often require interfaces between the primary and bolt-on system. An example is an application for U.S. Mail address verification used in conjunction with a billing system
Boundary
The demarcation between a system and the environment of the system
Business continuity
The process created to ensure that essential functions and services continue during an adverse event
Business intelligence
Automated tools for analyzing massive amounts of data with the goal of improved decision making, typically at the organizational or departmental level.
Channel
A physical element that carries a message between a sender and a receiver. Examples of channels are radio waves, fiber optic lines, and paper
Charge description master file
A list of all prices for services group, (e.g., diagnosis-related group, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding, and Current Procedural Terminology 4) or goods provided to patients that serves as the basis for billing
Claims processing and management
The submission of an insurance claim or bill to a third party payer, either manually or electronically, and the follow-up on the payment from the payer
Classification
A single hierarchical terminology that aggregates data at a prescribed level of abstraction for a particular domain
Clicker
A device that is part of a classroom or audience response system that allows realtime feedback to an instructor on, for example, comprehension of presented material
Clinical application
A software program used to perform specific tasks supporting the clinical aspects of healthcare, for example, documentation or orders management
Clinical data repository
The storage component for all patient clinical records data
Clinical decision support (CDS)
Tools and applications that assist the healthcare provider with some aspect of clinical decision making
Clinical documentation
Software that provides a medium for recording, managing, and reporting patient care activities by a variety of disciplines
Clinical informatics
application of informatics and information technology to deliver healthcare services
Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs)
Statements and recommendations created from evidence-based practice or consensus-based processes and used to guide patient care.
Clinical scenario
The plan of an expected and potential course of events for a simulated clinical experience. The clinical scenario provides the context for the simulation and can vary in length and complexity, depending on the objectives
Closed system
A system that is enclosed in an impermeable boundary and does not interact with the environment
Cloud computing
A model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction
Cold site
A relocation site for a company pending a disaster. It usually does not include backed-up copies of data from the original location. Hardware may be available but may need to be configured
Comparative effectiveness research
Studies designed to determine which methods to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor a health condition work best in terms of both benefit and harm, for which patients, and under what circumstances
Complexity theory
builds on chaos theory using a qualitative approach to the study of dynamic nonlinear social systems that change with time and demonstrate complex relationships
Comprehensive educational information system
The hardware, applications, data, and integrated functionality designed for managing an academic setting such as a university
Computer science
The "systematic study" of algorithmic methods for representing and transforming information, including their theory, design, implementation, application, and efficiency.... The roots of it extend deeply into mathematics and engineering. Mathematics imparts analysis to the field; engineering imparts design
Computerized provider order entry (CPOE)
software designed to allow clinicians to enter and manage a variety of patient care orders, such as medications, laboratory, nutrition care, and other diagnostic tests, via the computer
Concept
A term that represents a group of ideas or items. it may represent an abstract idea, such as love, or be concrete, such as fruit.
Confidentiality
Ensuring that data or information is disclosed only to authorize personnel
Configuration management database (CMDB)
A database used to store configuration records throughout their lifecycle.
Confusion matrix
Classification is a data mining function that assigns items in a collection to target categories or classes. A confusion matrix is an array used to test the specific classification model used for classifying the items by showing relationships between true and prediced classes
Content management system
An educational application that is used to create, edit, store, and deliver learning objects and materials such as PowerPoint slides, videos, diagrams etc. These learning objects and materials can be used in different purposes
Course management system (CMS)
A software program or application that permits a faculty member to design and deliver a course without knowing programming code. Students use the CMS to learn the concepts and skills being taught
Convered entity
A healht plan, a healthcare clearinghouse, or a healthcare provider that transmits health information in electronic form
Critical (key) application
Defined by the stakeholders as an application that must be recovered first in the case of a disaster or downtime, as it is critical to some aspect of the organization and its operations (business)
Crowdsourcing
The process of tapping into the collective intelligence of a group to complete business-related tasks that a company would normally either perform itself or outsource to a third party provider
Cytotoxicity
The property of an agent being toxic to cells
Dashboard
An application designed to provide a visual display of specific data points, for example, for organizational performance data
Data
Uninterpreted elements such as a person's name, wight, or age. Because they are uninterpreted, they do not have meaning.
Data Center
A housing facility for computer systems, applications, and related components
Data dictionary
Stores standard terms for healthcare. Defines the terms and structure in a database and is used to control and maintain integration in large databases. It records (1) what dat is stored, (2) the description and characteristics of the data, (3) relationships among data elements, and (4) access rights and frequency of terms
Data exchange
the sharing of data among systems using an agreed-upon standard electronic communication, convention, or "rule"
Data integrity
The accuracy and consistency of stored and transmitted data. Data integrity can be comprised when information is entered incorrectly or deliberately altered or when the system protections are not working correctly or suddenly fail
Data mining
A step in the knowledge discovery process of finding correlations or patterns among dozens of fields in large relational databases
Data standards
Data processes that have been approved by a recognized body and provide for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines, or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at achieving the optimum degree of order in a given context.
Data visualization
using software tools to detect visual patterns in large datasets
Debrifing
A review and self-reflection activity led by a facilitator following a simulation or other IT-related experience
Decision making
The process of considering available data and information which is then matched with available knowledge to reach a conclusion or to make a judgment
Denial management
The tracking and follow-up of denials for payment from insurance companies
Dental informatics
The application of computer and information sciences to improve dental practice, research, education, and management
Derived classifications
WHO classifications based on reference classifications but adapted by either providing additional detail or becoming a compilation of multiple reference classifications
Digital divide
The gap between groups of users in the adoption and use of personal electronic devices and the Internet
Digital literacy
The ability to operate and understand digital devices of all types including the technical skills to operate these devices, the conceptual knowledge to understand their functionality, and the ability to creatively and critically use these devices to access, manipulate, evaluate, and apply data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in activities of daily living
Disaster recovery
Plans and procedures that organizations use when essential services or systems will not be available for an extended period of time or when it is expected that the disaster or event will have a significant impact on operations. Includes plans for response during the event or disaster
Discount usability evaluations
Cost-effective methods to determine usability issues for applications. These methods require minimal human resources and time yet still find about 80% of critical design issues
Disruptive technology
An innovation that replaces long held traditional ideas and ways of doing things. A technology that abruptly causes a change in thinking or direction
Distance education
Instruction and learning that takes place when the teacher and the learner are in two different settings and possibly teaching and learning at two different times
Distance learning
The process of learning using distance education technology, which separates the learner in time and space from his or her peers and instructor
Distrubuted learning
Learning that occurs through the use of technologies and interactive activities and that may include augmented classrooms, hybrid courses, or distance education courses
Distributive education
A change in pedagogy where the course developer uses technology to customize the learning environment to the learning styles of the learners; the learners may be taking distance, hybrid, on on-site courses.
Downtime
A time during which a computer of software is not available or not functioning due to hardware, operating system, or application program failure
Dynamic homeostasis
The constantly changing processes used by a system to maintain a steady state or balance. The normal fluctuations seen in body chemistry levels demonstrate dynamic homeostasis
Dynamic system
A system that is in a constant state of change in response to a reiterative feedback loop
eBooks
Books in a digital format that may or may not require a proprietary device to read
Education games
Games that engage students in active learning. They generally include some sort of competition related to teams and winning a contest
eHealth
Electronic communication and information technology related to health information and processes accessible through online means
eHealth initiatives
Efforts and programming implemented to standardize and transform the use of technology in healthcare with the goal of improving patient care
eLeanring
A change in the learner's knowledge and/or skills that is attributable to an experience with an electronic device
Electronic data Interchange (EDI)
The standards or act of transferring data via computer technology between organizations
Electronic health record (EHR)
A longitudal electronic record of patient health information produced by encounters in one or more care settings
Electronic health Record (EHR) adoption
The depth and breadth of use or penetration of EHRs in healthcare provider organizations and practices
Electronic medical record (EMR)
A digital version of a patient's chart used in a clinician's office or other healthcare setting
Electronic medication Administration Record (eMAR)
Software used to view and document patient medications
Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
a suite of applications called modules, a database, and a set of inherent processes for consolidating business operations into a single, consistent, computing platform
Entropy
A measure of the disorder or unavailability of energy within a system
ePatient
A person who uses technology to actively engage in his or her healthcare and manages the responsibility for his or her own health and wellness
ePatient movement
A movement in which patients play an increasing role in their own healthcare and contribute to the care of others
ePortfolio
A portfolio that is maintained in a digital format
Equifinality
The tendency of open systems to reach a characteristic final state from different initial conditions and in different ways
Ergonomics
In the U.S. this focuses on the physical design and implementation of equipment, tools, and products as they relate to humans safety, comfort, and convenience. The term is used interchangeably with human factors in Europe and elsewhere
Evidence-based practice (EBP)
The use of research, data, and scientific evaluation as a basis for clinical decision making and the provision of patient care
Expert System
computer program that imitates human thinking through complicated sets of if-then rules
Extrapolation
Extending historical data to create future predicitons and trend lines
Fat client
A personal computer with full functionality and disk storage that exists in a client-server environment. It contrasts with a thin client that i, in essence, solely a terminal with no embedded software
Fidelity
Believability or the degree to which a simulated experience approaches reality' as fidelity increases, realism increases
Financial information system (FIS)
A system that records, stores, and manages financial operations within an organization for the purposes of reporting and decision making
Fixed asset management
The management of objects that cannot be easily converted to cash or sold or used for the care of a patiet
Focused ethnographies
Research methods borrowed from anthropology and sociology in which the focus is on the person's point of view and his or her experiences and interactions in social settings
Formative evaluation
Feedback provided with the goal of improving a program or a person's performance, typically given in the early or middle portion of the program
Fractal type patterns
Irregular geometric shapes that are repeatedly subdivided into parts that are a smaller copy of the whole
Framework
A basic conceptual structure for organizing ideas
Futures research
a rational and synthetic approach to identifying possible, probable, and preferable futures. The formal study of the future is also called foresight and futures studies, strategic foresight, prospective studies, prognostic studies, and futurology
General ledger
A listing of a financial transactions made by the healthcare organization
Generalist nurse
A professional nurse educated at the undergraduate level for the broad practice of nursing in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare
Guided discovery
a process by which clinicians engage epatients in developing a shared hypothesis and plan of care based on data and reported experiences
Harmonization
The process of adjusting for differences and inconsistencies among different measurements, terms, methods, procedures, schedules, specifications, or systems to make them uniform or mutually compatible
health 1.0
Use of the internet to search for health-related information. The user can read but cannot interact in any way with the website or information
Health 2.0
Internet-based healthcare resources that allow interactive communication with other patients and healthcare resources across the country and around the world
Health 3.0
Anticipated Internet-based healthcare resources that learn from a user's behaviors and search activities
Health advocacy
supports and promotes patients' healthcare rights and enhances community health and policy initiatives that focus on the availability, safety, and quality of care
Health communication
the process of informing a priority population about a health issue (written materials, media advocacy, etc.)
Health informatics
the management of healthcare data and information through the application of computers and other information technologies
health information exchange (HIE)
The process of reliable and interoperable electronic health-related information sharing conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality, privacy, and security of the information
Health information organization (HIO)
An organization that oversees and governs the exchange of health related information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards
Health information technology (Health IT)
The use of electronic methods for managing healht-related date and information
Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act
A law that established programs designed to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency using health information technology
Health IT governance
the process of establishing an overarching structure for health IT in organizations, including establish goals and objects; creating policies, standards, and services; and developing mechanisms and processes for the oversight, enforcement and coordination of the policies standards and services
Health IT support personnel
Individuals who assist in the design, development, implementation, ongoing support, and maintenance of health IT hardware and software
Health policy
includes the decisions, plans, and actions that guide the achievement of healthcare goals iwthin a society
Heuristic evaluations
Assessments of a device or product against accepted guidelines or published usability principles
High availability
processes that allow full functioning of systems during downtimes. Includes a redundant system in place, configured and waiting in standby mode if the primary production node fails. Requires manual intervention for end-users to access it
Home health
Healthcare and social services provided by free-standing and facility-based community agencies at patients' residences, work sites, or other locations
Hot site
An alternative location used in business continuity planning. Includes all of the necessary resources to take over the operations of another location in a very short period of time, sometimes within minutes. It includes hardware such as servers and the network infrastructure, uptodate data, and personnel to manage the functions of the alternative location. Compare to cold site, warm site, and mobile site.
Human factors
The scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interaactions among humans and other elements of a system
Human resources information system (HRIS)
A computerized system that provides current and accurate data for purposes of control and decision-making
Human-computer interaction (HCI)
The study of how people interact with computers and to what extent computers are or are not developed for successful interaction with human beings.
Human-made disaster
A disaster created by humans that results in significant injuries, deaths, or damage to property
Immunization Information system (IIS)
A confidential, population-based, computerized database that records all immunization-related data and information, such as doses administered by participating healthcare providers to persons residing within a given geopolitical area. Can be used at the healthcare provider, patient, and population level.
Incentive management
Use of monetary and point-based rewards for staff who volunteer to meet institutional needs, such as staffing needs
Incident response team (IRT)
A specialized group of people whose purpose is to respond to major incidents. Typically a cross-functional team. Formed to respond to major incidents only.
Informatics
The study and use of information processes and technology in the arts, sciences, and the professions
Informatics nurse specialist
A nurse formally educated at the graduate level in nursing informatics, health informatics, or biomedical informatics
Informatics researcher and innovator
A nurse educated in a doctoral-level education program who uses health data, information knowledge, and wisdom to generate new knowledge and best practices or to develop new technologies to continuously improve health outcomes
Information
Data converted into a meaningful and useful context
Information ecology
A science that studies the laws governing the influence of information summary on the formation and functioning of biosystems, including those of individuals, human communities, and humanity in general, and on the health and psychological physical and social well-being of the human being, and that undertakes to develop methodologies to improve the information environment
Information science
The discipline that investigates the properties and the means of processing information for optimum accessibility and usability. It is concerned with the origination
Information supply chain
flows both up- and down-stream providing customer demand, product availability, and other information
Information system
A combination of information technology, data, and human activities or processes that support operations and decision making
Informed consent
permission granted voluntarily by a person who is of sound mind and aware of all factors involved
Infrastructure
the hardware and software used to connect computers and users, including cables; equipment such as routers, repeaters, and other devices that control transmission paths; software used to send, receive, and manage the signals that are transmitted; and often the computers themselves.
Integrated system
A fully interoperable system
Interactive whiteboard
an interactive display screen that is connected to a computer and allows for viewing, input, and collaboration by multiple users:
Interface engine
Software that transforms or maps data from one application to a receiving application's requirements while a message is in transit to allow it to be accepted
Interface terminology
A set of designations or representations structured to support representation of concepts for data entry and display on the graphical user interface
Interoperability
The ability for systems to reliably exchange data and operate in a coordinated, seamless manner [Show Less]