Hospital Terms
A
Ambulatory Surgical
A place other than a hospital that does outpatient surgery. At an ambulatory (in and out) surgery center, you may stay for only a few hours or one night.
C
Caregiver
A caregiver is someone who helps people who need assistance with their daily needs. Caregivers can work with people of all ages, including children, adults, and the elderly, who may need help due to illness, injury, disability, or other reasons. Caregivers can provide a variety of tasks, such as helping with cooking, dressing, or showering, or managing anxiety and agitation. They can also provide emotional support.
Case Management
Case management is a collaborative process that helps people and their families navigate services and supports to meet their needs. It can involve assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to help people achieve their goals. Case management can help people with health, social care, educational, and employment needs. It can also help people with unique cases, such as service requests, investigations, or incidents.
Chronic Conditions
A chronic condition is a general term that describes conditions that last a year or longer and require ongoing medical care or limit daily activities. Chronic conditions can also limit self-care, independent living, and social interactions. They can include chronic illnesses and impairments, and their symptoms may come and go or flare up at certain times.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
A Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with additional certification as a midwife who provides primary health care to women of all ages. CNMs specialize in women’s reproductive health and childbirth, and offer a broad range of services.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) is a registered nurse who has specialized training in anesthesia. They can administer anesthesia for procedures and surgeries. They can work alone or with a team of healthcare providers.
D
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
A doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) is a physician licensed to practice medicine. DOs bring a whole-person, patient-centered approach to healthcare. They partner with you to help you stay healthy and get well.
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
DPM stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and a DPM is a physician and surgeon who specializes in treating the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. DPMs are also known as podiatrists or podiatric physicians or surgeons. They are highly trained to diagnose and treat conditions, diseases, and injuries in these areas.
F
Freestanding Clinic
Free standing imaging, infusion, ERs
H
Hospital
A hospital is a healthcare facility that provides emergent and acute medical care and attention to patients in need. Hospitals have medical experts who monitor patients, perform tests and procedures, administer medications, and tend to any health issues that arise. Patient stays vary based on severity of illness but will typically be more than 24 hours.
Hospital-based Outpatient
A hospital-based outpatient department is a site of care that is located in a hospital-affiliated clinic or on-site outpatient clinic. Patients are treated within the hospital, rather than at a physician’s office and will most likely return home less than 24 hours after a procedure.
P
Physician Assistant (PA)
PAs (physician associates/physician assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting
Physician Office
A physician’s office, also known as a doctor’s office, doctor’s surgery, or doctor’s practice, is a medical facility where one or more doctors receive and treat patients. Physician’s offices can be located in many places, including health maintenance organizations, private hospital offices, and other locations outside of hospitals, nursing homes, and other extended care facilities.
Primary Care Physician
A primary care physician (PCP) is a healthcare professional who provides general medicine care for patients, usually in non-emergency situations. PCPs are often doctors, but can also be nurse practitioners or physician assistants. They can be found in clinics, private practices, outpatient and inpatient hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
S
Specialist
A medical specialist is a doctor or other health care professional who has additional training and certification in a specific area of medicine. They are licensed to practice in their area of expertise and can provide more specialized care than a general practitioner.
T
Telehealth
Telehealth is the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. It allows long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions