A - Health care system terms | A - Healthcare system meanings |
clinic | medical facility run by several specialists working in cooperation, devoted to diagnosis and care of outpatients |
emergency care services | public or private paramedics providing ambulance services and care "in the field" for accidents or sudden illness, pre-hospital, or between care facilities |
hospital | facility providing a wide range of diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency services to inpatients and outpatients |
hospice | agency providing care in any setting with paliative care for terminally ill with six months or less life expectancy |
laboratory | performs scientific research, diagnostic testing, and development of drugs, chemicals and prosthetic devices |
long-term care | residential facility for physically disabled and elderly requiring constant personal and nursing care |
managed care | arrangement with an insurance organization mediating payments between patient and pysician to reduce costs |
Medicaid | medical assistance program for welfare recipients, disabled, blind and elderly |
Medicare | medical assistance program providing hospital care for elderly and disabled |
public health department | oversees health care agency licensing, provides nurses, educates on community health issues |
rehabilitation center | provides care, therapy, and education for patients disabled by sickness or injury with goal of regaining as much of their original abilities and independence as possible |
senior day care | provides care, rehabilitation and activities for elderly who require care when their family is away during the day. |
specialty hospital | provides care for specific illnesses, or specific groups of people |
state university medical center | provides training for health workers, gives medical care, and conducts medical research |
CBRF | community based residential facility |
CDC | Centers for Disease Control |
DRG | diagnostic-related groupings |
HMO | Health Maintenance Organization |
HHC | home health care |
NIH | National Institutes of Health |
OBRA | Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 |
OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
PPO | Preferred Provider Organization |
WHO | World Health Organization |