Term
| Artificial intelligence (AI) |
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Definition
| Both a system and a concept, this refers to the idea of a computer system that can think and “learn” like a human. A computer with artificial intelligence could update and increase its knowledge based on previous problems and results, making it “smarter.” Also, see expert system. |
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Term
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Definition
| American Standard Code for Information Interchange. This coding language translates each character into a numeric form readable by any computer. This "universal" language allows otherwise incompatible systems to exchange information. See Unicode |
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Term
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Definition
| A software tracking system used for data security. An audit trail is attached to a file each time it is opened so an operator can trace who has accessed a file and when. Hyperspace uses audit trails for security and for CareEverywhere. |
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Term
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Definition
| The electronic spine that joins multiple networks together, including the Internet, most commonly via T1 lines. |
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Term
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Definition
| A measurement describing how much information can be transmitted at once through a communications medium such as analog transmission, radio frequency or digital transmission. When the Internet experiences a "traffic jam," it is usually caused by too many people trying to access or send data at once--more data than the bandwidth can handle. |
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Term
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Definition
| An older term measuring bandwidth usage, now more commonly described as bits per second. |
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Term
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Definition
| A description of how much data can be transmitted across a carrier. A modem might transmit 33.6K BPS or a T1 line may carry more than a million BPS. |
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Term
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Definition
| An electrical cable with an extra layer of conductive material surrounding the core. The current standard for cable television, coaxial cable can carry more data than standard telephone wire but less than fiber optics. |
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Term
| Continuous speech recognition |
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Definition
| A vocal-to-digital translation system with heightened capabilities; unlike standard speech recognition systems, it can interpret words spoken in a natural cadence and within several contexts. |
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Term
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Definition
| A piece of information passed from a Web server to the user's Web browser. If the browser accepts the cookie, its data, accessible only by the server/domain that sent it, is stored on the user's hard drive and retrieved automatically whenever the server's page is visited. Used to store passwords, ordering information, preferences, and bookmarks. Some cookies expire the same day; others last several years. |
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Term
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Definition
| Pieces of information or commands. |
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Term
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Definition
| The transcription of information from the original source into a machine-readable form. Although keyboard entry is the most familiar, other fast-growing methods include scanners, speech recognition, and automatic device-to-system technology. |
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Term
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Definition
| The comparison and study of large databases in order to discover new data relationships. Mining a clinical database may produce new insights on outcomes, alternate treatments, or effects of treatment on different races and genders. |
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Term
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Definition
| A database acting as an information storage facility. Although often used synonymously with data warehouse, a repository does not have the analysis or querying functionality of a warehouse. |
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Term
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Definition
| This vast database stores information like a data repository but goes a step further, allowing users to access data to perform research-oriented analyses. |
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Term
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Definition
| An aggregation of records or other data that is updateable. Databases manage and archive large amounts of information. The industry standard is a relational database accessed through SQL; however, this model does not work well for Epic. |
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Term
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Definition
| A collection of Microsoft technologies that allows programs to be built out of discrete blocks. The blocks can be obtained from Microsoft, third-party vendors, or developed in-house and ActiveX technology will assure that they will snap together as easily as Legos. Everything you see in Hyperspace is an ActiveX control. See object-oriented technology and JavaBeans. |
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Term
| American National Standards Institute (ANSI) |
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Definition
| The many committees and accreditation boards of this non-profit organization work to establish acceptance of electronic data standards. ANSI is the U.S. member of the International Committee for Standardization (ISO). |
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Term
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Definition
| A method of information transfer that transforms varying wave frequencies and amplitudes into electric impulses; For example FM radio translates frequency changes into information and AM radio translates amplitude. Cellular phones, for instance, commonly use both analog and digital modes. However, analog signals are more easily distorted and more energy consuming to transmit. These drawbacks are due reliance on the shape and/or frequency of the wave, which can be easily affected by the environmental factors and distance from the source. |
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Term
| Application Program Interface (API) |
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Definition
| A set of pre-made functions used to build programs. APIs ask the operating system or another application to perform specific tasks. There is an API for almost everything, including messaging APIs for email, telephony APIs for calling systems, Java APIs and graphics APIs such as DirectX. |
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Term
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Definition
| Unlike a general file server, this server is loaded with sophisticated hardware geared toward performing a few specific application tasks. |
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Term
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Definition
| This structure term refers to a system's form and how its pieces communicate and work together. Also, see client/server. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer dedicated to managing the flow of information among networked computers and used as a storage location for programs and files shared by network users. Also, see client/server. |
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Term
| File transfer protocol (FTP) |
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Definition
| A standard application governed by TCP/IP for transferring files between computers or across the Internet. These days, nearly every system can accept FTP files. |
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Term
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Definition
| A security system situated between a private network and outside networks. The firewall screens user names and all data packets that attempt to enter or leave the private network, allowing or denying access or exchange based on pre-set access rules. Also, see encryption. |
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Term
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Definition
| Software programs, stored in read-only memory, that are retained even after the computer is turned off. Firmware is easier to configure and update than hardware and is more enduring than software. |
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Term
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Definition
| Technology used on removable memory cards to retain data after the power is turned off. Used in many medical imaging devices, digital cameras and laptops, flash memory cards have capacities of several gigabytes. |
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Term
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Definition
| Display technology that uses one of a variety of substances sandwiched between two wired plates, i.e. liquid crystal, electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, plasma, field emission, and organic light-emitting methods. Once mainly for laptops, flat panel screens are rapidly becoming low-emission alternatives for desktop displays, large-screen wall monitors and HDTV. |
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Term
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Definition
| The structure or layout of a document, application, or system. |
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Term
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Definition
| About 1,000 megabytes (MB) of data. |
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Term
| Bulletin Board Service (BBS) |
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Definition
| Users dial this computer access service via modem to send and receive email, participate in newsgroups and lists or exchange files. These days, many BBSs provide access to the World Wide Web. |
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Term
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Definition
| Short for binary digit. The smallest piece of computerized information, corresponding to a circuit that is off (0) or on (1). |
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Term
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Definition
| A connector between two networks or between two parts of the same network. A bridge acts as a “shipping clerk” by forwarding data between the parts. |
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Term
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Definition
| A transmission method used for high-capacity data that require very large amounts of bandwidth such as video. Broadband is commonly carried by fiber-optic or coaxial cable and is capable of transmitting more than 1 million data bits per second. |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] A software program that interprets documents written in HTML, the main programming language of the World Wide Web. A browser such as Netscape or Microsoft Explorer is required to experience the photos, video and sound elements on a Web page and assists in quick, easy travel around the Web. |
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Term
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Definition
| Short for binary digit eight, because a byte is eight bits. A byte can store approximately one letter or digit, and is usually the smallest amount of memory a computer can work with. |
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Term
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Definition
| C is an established programming language found in many operating systems, including UNIX. As object-oriented technology gains popularity, C++, a daughter-language based on objects, is a major programming language. See Java. |
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Term
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) |
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Definition
| Technically, it is the hardware inside a computer that processes the commands. CPU also is used, somewhat erroneously, as a more general term for the entire box containing the processor, memory, and disk drives, i.e. "the monitor, the printer, and the CPU." |
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Term
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Definition
| An information system where all critical data and programs are stored on one main computer, usually a mainframe. Unlike the task-sharing concept of a client/server system, the central computer retains all the brains and brawn. |
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Term
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Definition
| A formal process used to ensure a product, service or process is only modified in line with the identified necessary change |
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Term
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Definition
| Third-party product used by many customers which allows access to Hyperspace without loading the software on each computer. |
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Term
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Definition
| A network system where a dedicated computer (server) handles some of the processing tasks while multiple smaller computers (clients) complete other processes by tapping into the server's shared files and programs. See distributed computing. |
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Term
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Definition
| Data Base Management System. A program that implements a database, such as Oracle, MS SQL Server, or MS Access. Epic’s home-grown DBMS is Chronicles. |
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Term
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Definition
| Software that taps into database resources to assist users in making decisions on care options. A clinical decision support system gives physicians structured (rules-based) information on diagnoses and treatments. |
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Term
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Definition
| A technology similar to a transcriptionist's tape recorder, only better. Since the voice files are saved in computerized (digital) form, they can be played back at any speed without distortion. Future developments in continuous speech recognition eventually may make digital dictation systems obsolete. |
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Term
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Definition
| Voice, image or text data transformed and transmitted as combinations of zeros and ones (bits), and then transcribed back into the original medium by the recipient. Digital transmission is faster and less susceptible to noise interference than analog transmission. |
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Term
| Digital versatile disk (DVD) |
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Definition
| Also called digital videodisk. An optical disk capable of storing more than 4 GB of audiovisual data on a single side, or about 17 GB on a quad-sided disk. Current marketing is targeted at full-length movies, but DVD's high MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) compression standard and immense storage capacity may have a significant impact on telemedicine. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system where tasks are divided among several computers rather than having all processes originating from one central computer. Client/server systems are one type of distributed computing. Compare centralized computing. |
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Term
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Definition
| Using a scanning device and software to translate a paper document into a computer file. The file then can be sent to recipients on a network or the World Wide Web, much like having a fax machine connected to the Internet. |
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Term
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Definition
| A keyboard and screen used to input data to and receive data from a host computer. So named because it cannot process anything without the assistance of the main computer. |
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Term
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Definition
| Running two file servers or identical drives at the same time, so a backup system is already running if the primary system fails. Compare mirroring. |
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Term
| Electronic data interchange (EDI) |
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Definition
| A standard transmission format for business information sent from one computer to another using strings of data. EDI also can accommodate encryption. Also, see real-time EDI. |
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Term
| Electronic funds transfer (EFT) |
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Definition
| Financial transactions or data exchanged between computers, and "electronic banking. |
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Term
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Definition
| A communiqué, with or without attachments, sent from one computer user to another. Some systems still deliver email at set intervals, but most deliver messages within a few minutes of sending. Email has evolved considerably from its BBS roots, and many types of email can accommodate downloadable image files as well as attachments. |
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Term
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Definition
| Coding (scrambling) data with the intent to keep the information secure. Depending on the type of encryption used, only users who have the appropriate public key, private key, or password will be able to access the data. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any terminate point in a network, usually a desktop or workstation computer. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system where all computers in a healthcare system's various buildings are connected to exchange information. |
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Term
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Definition
| A popular method for sending data through a local area network using a single-channel cable and a special data collision protocol to detect network availability. |
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Term
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Definition
| A topic-specific software program designed to imitate human decision making using detailed knowledge of a particular subject and rules for applying the facts to a scenario. Also, see artificial intelligence. |
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Term
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Definition
| Works like an Intranet but allows access by outside individuals who have a valid password or encrypted equivalent. By customizing various levels of content access, an Extranet can interact with outsiders without losing all of its private nature. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer that performs the bulk of its data processing operations itself. |
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Term
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Definition
| A communication carrier system using thread-like strands of glass or plastic-coated glass instead of wire, allowing the transmission of data as pulses of light. Fiber-optic systems can carry much more simultaneous information than copper wire, and with the help of repeaters, can carry over great distance without interference distortion. |
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Term
| Graphical user interface (GUI) |
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Definition
| Pronounced “gooey.” An interface that allows a person to operate a software program through visual images (called icons), drop-down menu choices, and button or tool bars instead of complex keystrokes. The most common manipulating device is a mouse, and the GUI is what makes "point and click" capabilities possible |
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Term
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Definition
| [telemedicine] High-definition television. A video standard for high-resolution broadcast technology. It produces resolutions about four times higher than standard television as well as increased color and sound quality. |
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Term
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Definition
| 1. A standard interface for exchanging and translating data between computer systems. 2. A non-profit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that develops standards for data transfer. |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] The first or "main" page of a Web site. This page usually acts as a table of contents for the layers of pages and additional hypertext links available within the site. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer that acts as a source of information or capabilities for multiple terminals, peripherals, and/or users. |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] Hypertext Markup Language. The basic programming language for Web sites. This "skeleton" of codes surrounds blocks of text and/or images and contains all the display commands. A browser is required to translate HTML into a graphical display. |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A language protocol used when Web browsers and Web sites communicate. When http appears as part of a site address (called a URL), it indicates to Web browsers, "HTML spoken here." |
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Term
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Definition
| A network device that passes data between the main network line and the end stations. Hubs can include modem capabilities and/or provide access to local area networks |
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Term
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Definition
| A document containing words or phrases, usually highlighted in a different color that is electronically linked to text elsewhere. Electronic dictionaries and other software programs use hypertext as a convenient maneuvering tool--users can click on a letter or subject and go directly to the material they want without scrolling through the entire document. Hypertext also is what makes the World Wide Web so valuable; with one click of the mouse, a user can access more information from the same site or a site halfway around the world. |
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Term
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Definition
| The clickable word, phrase, or icon in a hypertext or hypermedia document that corresponds to a linked page or site. Clicking on the link instantly requests the information available at the new location. Also, called a hotlink, a hyperlink, or just a link. |
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Term
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Definition
| A feature of some image storage systems that allows users to rearrange and alter image files after they are stored. |
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Term
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Definition
| A hardware/ software combination that connects a networked user with specific information sources. Designed as a cost-effective alternative to a complete computer system, these appliances can perform specific informational access tasks with little set-up and relatively low cost. |
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Term
| Integrated services digital network (ISDN) |
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Definition
| A digital communications route capable of transmitting text, graphics, video, and audio at about 64K-128K BPS. Although an ISDN line is slower than a fiber distributed data interface, it's faster than a standard telephone line and is a popular way to connect local area networks. |
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Term
| Intelligent character recognition |
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Definition
| Unlike older scanning technology that could interpret only a few standard typefaces, this advanced scanning system can translate a wide variety of printed fonts and type styles from paper sources into electronic text. Compare optical character reader. |
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Term
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Definition
| A connection joining two parts of a system, such as where a software program meets a hardware component, or where hardware meets an input device. A point of contact between a human and a computer is called a user interface. Both hardware and software can function as an interface. See graphical user interface and SCSI. |
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Term
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Definition
| Software that assumes the duties of a physical interface. |
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Term
| International Committee for Standardization (ISO) |
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Definition
| Based in Geneva, this international group works toward global technology standards. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is one of its many affiliates. |
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Term
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Definition
| An international network of computers that operates on a backbone system without a true central host computer. Today's Internet links thousands of universities, government institutions and companies, but when it was created in the 1960s, the Internet linked just four computers. Technically, the Internet and the World Wide Web are not interchangeable terms; the Web is an integral child of the Internet whose ease of use has made it much more popular than its less graphical parent. |
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Term
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Definition
| The ability of hardware and software from different vendors to understand each other and exchange data, either within the same network or across dissimilar networks. |
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Term
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Definition
| A member-only network that looks and acts like the World Wide Web. Intranets allow companies to take advantage of Web-based technologies and create a private means of exchanging images and text among networked users. Also, see firewall and compare Extranet. |
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Term
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Definition
| A platform-independent, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems and similar to C++. Java applets, mini-applications designed to run within another program, are popular features of Web sites. Also see JavaBeans and compare ActiveX. |
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Term
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Definition
| A Java tool for creating reusable and shareable programming blocks in object-oriented programming. On the Web, they can perform small tasks or communicate with each other without contacting the server. |
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Term
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Definition
| A unit that contains several laser disks available for data storage and archiving. Much like its musical ancestor, it has an internal mechanism that loads and unloads different disks. |
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Term
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Definition
| About 1,000 bytes of data. |
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Term
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Definition
| A communication line rented from a carrier for dedicated use. |
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Term
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Definition
| An older computer system, often centered around a mainframe that has been in place for a long time. Since rather old technology is difficult to upgrade, owners of legacy systems often are faced with weighing the cost of replacing a system that technically "still works" with a faster, less bulky, fully integrated system. |
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Term
| Liquid crystal display (LCD |
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Definition
| A common, inexpensive flat-panel display that traps liquid crystals between two grooved plates. LCDs, now available in color, are the current dominant choice for laptops, hand-helds and many other devices. Active matrix LCDs, also called Thin Film Transistors (TFT), have faster refresh rates, better resolution and fewer ghosting problems than the older passive matrix options but are more expensive. Both matrix versions are susceptible to temperature, static and rough handling. |
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Term
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Definition
| A network of computers and peripherals in close proximity, usually in the same building. A LAN can facilitate high-speed exchange of text, audio and video data among hundreds of terminals. |
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Term
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Definition
| Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System. A programming language for database management in systems where multiple users need to access data simultaneously. Originally designed for medical records, MUMPS is now used in a variety of non-healthcare industries where it is more commonly called M. Epic uses an implementation of M called Caché. |
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Term
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Definition
| The point at which an original source (a picture, sound, or text) is translated into computerized form. Scanners, digital dictation and speech recognition systems create machine-readable files without keyboard entry, and the files can be stored, accessed by others, or sent electronically to a recipient. |
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Term
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Definition
| Found on most plastic credit and ID cards, this electromagnetic surface is capable of holding a small amount of information. Compare smart card. |
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Term
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Definition
| A group of e-mail addresses to which news or topical information is delivered, usually on a scheduled basis. In a business context, it also can refer to an email list of clients or employees. |
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Term
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Definition
| A powerful computer capable of organizing and executing multiple processing tasks at high speeds. A mainframe often acts as the controlling agent in a centralized computing system. |
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Term
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Definition
| About 1 million bytes or 1,000 KB. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer that uses a microprocessor and its own memory/storage space to perform applications. Also called a personal computer because it usually does not have the power to operate other computers. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer used at the core of small networks with the power and size somewhere between a microcomputer and a mainframe. Also, called a minicomputer. |
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Term
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Definition
| Two identical files or databases created and updated simultaneously so an exact duplicate exists at all times. Compare duplexing. |
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Term
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Definition
| Data relating to essential business operations. |
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Term
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Definition
| Short for Modulator/Demodulator. A device that translates computerized data into analog signals for transmission over a telephone line and converts incoming analog data into digital form. |
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Term
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Definition
| The combination of text, graphics, sound, and/or video |
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Term
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Definition
| [telemedicine] A hardware component used to split a transmission line into subchannels, either by band division or time-sharing, so several transmissions can travel on the line simultaneously |
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Term
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Definition
| A network whose transmissions are served by a single channel. Compare wideband network |
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Term
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Definition
| A general term for terminals, processors, and devices linked either by cable or wireless technology. Peripherals, programs, and applications can be shared by the network users |
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Term
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Definition
| A connection point on a network. Each node has its own address and can process and forward data to other nodes |
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Term
| Object-oriented programming (OOP) |
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Definition
| Programming based on objects—completely self-contained blocks of data packaged with accompanying instructions. Objects are useful because they can safely interact with each other and can operate within a variety of applications. This technology forms the basis for Java and ActiveX |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that is not connected or is turned off is offline. An online device is connected and ready to send or receive data. These terms refer mainly to peripherals, but also can describe a computer's connectivity to a network or the Internet |
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Term
| Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) |
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Definition
| Software query tools that allow users to analyze database information. Commonly found in data marts and decision support systems, an OLAP server interprets the user's request and provides data from multiple databases. The principle is similar to a relational database tool, but OLAP can provide multiple search parameters at once |
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Term
| Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) |
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Definition
| A real-time transaction between a user and a database server. Found in many server systems used for lab reporting, OLTP accepts a request and returns an immediate answer across multiple platforms |
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Term
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Definition
| A system capable of integrating hardware and peripherals of multiple vendors. Such systems usually are able to interact with other open systems based on standard protocols |
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Term
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Definition
| The software that directly controls the hardware and low-level system operations of a computer, such as mice, speakers, and memory. It provides the foundation for running programs and applications. Modern operating systems also provide a set of basic tools for applications to use, simplifying development and providing a consistent user interface |
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Term
| Optical character reader (OCR) |
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Definition
| A scanner that translates text from a printed page into electronic text, eliminating keyboard input. The accuracy of the translation can depend on the typeface on the paper original |
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Term
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Definition
| A flat, circular disk used to store data. The three basic kinds each require a specific type of disk drive; 1. Read-only: A disk with pre-loaded, permanent data that can be read many times such as a CD-ROM. 2. WORM (write once, read many): A blank disk that can accept data once, but can be read repeatedly. 3. EO (erasable optical): A blank disk that can accept data, be erased like a magnetic disk, and loaded again with new data. |
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Term
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Definition
| A "package" of information for transmission. Packets are of a uniform size and coded with the destination address |
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Term
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Definition
| A system that uses a special pen, connected by wire or wireless, as a selection tool and/or an input device |
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Term
| Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) |
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Definition
| A hand-held computer that provides access to notes, phone lists, schedules and with additional connectivity, paging systems. PDAs have no hard drive and most lack keyboards. Using Windows CE or a proprietary operating system, input is predominantly pen-based, although speech recognition may become more prevalent |
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Term
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Definition
| The smallest unit, or dot, of an image display. The size of the pixel partially determines the display device's resolution quality |
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Term
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Definition
| The ability to add a new component to a system and have it work automatically without having to do any technical analysis or manual configuration. The term can refer to hardware or software; a mouse that works as soon as you plug it in is plug-and-play, while ActiveX controls are considered plug-and-play |
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Term
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Definition
| A connection point through which a computer sends or receives data. It may connect a computer to a printer, a modem, or a vast network. Also, see SCSI, and FireWire |
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Term
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Definition
| A way of doing things that has become an agreed-upon convention, or "rule." In electronic communication, if several systems use the same protocols, they operate in a similar way and can easily exchange data. Standard protocols have evolved on a national and international basis for data exchange, language translation, and use of the Internet, to name a few |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] The automatic delivery of Web news and other information without a request from the user. Unlike Web pages and most email where a user downloads or "pulls" information each time in order to view it, push technology requires a user to register only once and sends the news as it becomes available, without further prompting. PointCast and Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0 both include healthcare push news services |
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Term
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Definition
| Any frequency that corresponds to radio signals, including those used by cellular telephones and wireless networks |
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Term
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Definition
| Computer communications or processes that are so fast they seem instantaneous |
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Term
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Definition
| An interactive data exchange between two computers, where one sends a request and the other responds immediately, much like a conversation. The opposite of a batch transmission, where a request is made, and the data is sent later |
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Term
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Definition
| A database where all information is arranged in tables containing predefined fields. Using structured query language, reports and comparisons can be generated by selecting fields of interest from the original database and creating new tables. Changing a field in one record automatically changes the same record in all related databases, allowing for easy global updating. Epic’s databases are not relational; however, we do provide tools that map our data into the relational model for reporting purposes |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that sends data transmissions only to the portion of a network meant to receive them, rather than to every user. Instead of merely passing information like a bridge, a router monitors the rest of the activity on the network and changes traffic patterns if necessary to maintain efficiency |
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Term
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Definition
| A system with the flexibility to accept new devices and programs without disrupting other functions or requiring extensive installation tasks |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] A tool for finding information quickly from a variety of sources on the Internet or the World Wide Web. Users can enter keywords or narrow their search using Boolean language, and the search engine will list as many relevant sources as it can find. Not all engines are designed the same way; some gather information by keyword registry, and others use a “bot”--a robot program that wanders the Web and scans the first few hundred words of each Web site it encounters |
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Term
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Definition
| A copy of the Production Server, used to keep Production from being slowed down by things like operational reporting tasks or MyChart needs |
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Term
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Definition
| A portable, updateable card that can be used to store personal identification, medical history, and insurance information. Because it has its own microprocessing chip, a smart card can store thousands more bits of information than a magnetic stripe card, although it requires a special card-reading device |
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Term
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Definition
| Systematized Nomenclature of Human and Veterinary Medicine. A module-based vocabulary system for medical databases. Available in more than 12 languages, SNOMED has the potential to become the standard vocabulary base for speech recognition systems and computer-based patient records |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer's ability, through software, to accept spoken words as dictation or to follow voice commands. Vocabulary limitations and recognition abilities can vary greatly from system to system. Also called voice recognition or speech understanding |
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Term
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Definition
| The act of preparing a data file for printing, sending, or other processes while the system is occupied with other tasks. Each job is placed in a waiting line, or queue, and saved in a temporary storage space called a spool |
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Term
| Structured query language (SQL) |
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Definition
| A standard command language used to interact with databases |
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Term
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Definition
| Types of transmission lines in the T-carrier telecommunications system. T1 lines can transmit about 1.5M BPS of data. A T3 line contains 28 T1 lines together and can transmit about 45 times the data of a single T1, enough for full-motion video. Six T3 lines make one T4 line, capable of transmitting about 274M BPS. Also, see backbone network |
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Term
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Definition
| Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The most common group of conventional rules for exchanging packets of information among networks, including the Internet. TCP/IP has been used on the Internet since the early '80s and is considered an international standard |
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Term
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Definition
| The electronic transmission of voice signals and other data over telephone-based carrier systems, including cellular |
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Term
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Definition
| A broad term describing the combined efforts of health telecommunication, information technology and health education to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare |
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Term
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Definition
| As a segment of telehealth, telemedicine focuses on the provider aspects of healthcare telecommunications, especially medical imaging technology |
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Term
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Definition
| About 1 trillion bytes or 1,000 gigabytes (GB). A system with a terabyte of storage could hold as much as 500 two-GB personal computers |
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Term
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Definition
| A "stripped down" personal computer designed specifically to be a client in a client/server network. Thin clients tend to cost less than fully-equipped models--since a thin client assumes the presence of a file server, it has no need for full software or internal devices of its own. Microsoft and Intel have jointly produced the "Net PC," and Oracle/Sun Microsystems have collaborated on the "Network Computer." |
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Term
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Definition
| A standard for encoding the text of all languages into numbers for use in computers. Unicode uses more memory than ASCII, but is important for internationalization efforts |
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Term
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Definition
| An operating system that has evolved since the 1970s into a standard for mainframes, work stations and other computers. Developed by Bell Laboratories and written in C programming language, UNIX became the first open system because of its versatile, non-proprietary characteristics |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] Short for Uniform Resource Locator. A URL contains all the information needed to find a file on the internet. It can be broken down into a protocol (such as http), a domain name (www.epicsys.com), and a file path (/Company/About.php). Protocols such as file, http, ftp, and mailto each represents a different way of sending information over the internet. The domain name refers to the computer you need to access, and the file path specifies what exactly you want. A common use of URLs is to identify web sites. See http and web site |
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Term
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Definition
| A widely used hardware interface for attaching peripheral devices to computers |
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Term
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Definition
| [WWW] A group of related files, including text, graphics, and hypertext links on the World Wide Web. Accessed by typing its URL, a site usually includes layers of supporting pages as well as a home page. Also, see URL and browser |
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Term
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Definition
| A network that links computers over a distance, sometimes across hundreds of miles, using digital technology or telephony. Compare local area network |
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Term
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Definition
| A transmission medium with greater bandwidth capacity than standard voice lines, but less capacity than broadband channels. Compare Narrowband network |
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Term
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Definition
| An international group of databases within the Internet that uses hypertext technology to access text, pictures and other multimedia with a click of a mouse. Sites on the Web usually are created in HTML, Java or both. A browser program is needed to access multimedia aspects. Also, see URL |
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Term
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Definition
| Extensible Markup Language is used to structure and annotate data to make it easier to read. It should only be used for content; formatting and display information should be stored separately. A key feature of XML is that it only uses standard printable characters, so no special program is needed to edit an XML document |
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Term
| Admission-Discharge-Transfer System (ADT) |
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Definition
| ADT systems are used to track inpatients from their arrival (admission) to their departure (discharge) for hospital care |
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Term
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Definition
| Refers to a facilities outstanding dollars that are due from patients, insurance companies, third party payors, etc. These dollars are most often categorized and aged by payor, third party, and patient |
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Term
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Definition
| The processing of a claim or group of associated charges to determine liability for both the payor and the member (patient) |
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Term
| Administrative Services Only (ASO) |
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Definition
| A contract between an insurance company and a self-funded plan (usually a large business or government entity) where the insurance company only performs administrative services such as claims processing |
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Term
| Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APC) |
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Definition
| This is the outpatient prospective payment system (PPS) that is being drafted and proposed by Medicare (implementation scheduled for April 2000). APCs are categorized and multiple APCs can be used for an outpatient encounter. APCs are associated PPS, thus resulting in clinics/providers receiving a flat dollar amount for each APC, regardless of the composition of the procedures in the APC. There are four main categories; (S)-significant procedures, not reduced when multiple, (T)-significant procedures, multiple procedure production applies, (V)-visit to clinic or emergency department and (X)-ancillary services. Payment is strictly APC based with the exception of category X which also requires a diagnosis factor |
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Term
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Definition
| Services provided to patients who do not need to stay in a healthcare facility overnight. Care can be provided in physician offices, health centers or outpatient clinics at a hospital (also called outpatient) |
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Term
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Definition
| Tests, procedures, imaging and support services provided in a healthcare setting (laboratory, radiology, etc) |
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Term
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Definition
| A performance measurement test, either within the organization (from year to year) or among organizations. Also referred to as performance measure |
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Term
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Definition
| Predefined services that will be covered (paid) by a particular payor (insurance company). Employers could have multiple benefit plans for their employees |
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Term
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Definition
| The setting of an inclusive package price or global fee for all the medical services required for a specific procedure (maternity care, coronary artery bypass, transplant, etc.) |
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Term
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Definition
| A payment structure where a caregiver is paid a set amount per patient in advance, regardless of how many services are provided. Associated with Managed Care. Services are usually adjusted off when related to a capitated contract |
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Term
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Definition
| The idea of creating a coordinated, ongoing and personalized strategy for patients who have a variety of healthcare needs such as the elderly and those with long-term illnesses. A primary care physician or other provider (PA, NP, etc.) acts as a case manager, planning specialist referrals and giving a sense of continuity within the separate services delivered |
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Term
| Central Business Office (CBO) |
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Definition
| Centralized facility/location that monitors and collects the Accounts Receivable for an entity |
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Term
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Definition
| Medical health plan managed by the federal government for military personnel. This is for active military personnel and their dependents. More recently known as TriCare |
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Term
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Definition
| Community Health Information Network |
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Term
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Definition
| A bill for healthcare service. A provider sends the claim to the patient’s insurance or health plan, which may review the claim for validity before paying the benefits. Claims could be electronic (specific formats), UB92 for hospital (inpatient) billing or HCFA 1500 for ambulatory care billing. Claims can be submitted for payment either electronically or on paper |
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Term
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Definition
| A service that takes claims and other electronic data from providers, verifies the information, and forwards the proper forms to the payors. More than a transfer station, a clearinghouse acts as a fact-checker and data format translator |
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Term
| Clinical Laboratory Information System (CLIS) |
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Definition
| A management system that receives all information for ordered lab procedures, delivers the results to caregivers, and stores the data for future reference |
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Term
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Definition
| The portion of a covered claim that a patient must pay. It is usually a percent of charges |
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Term
| Complete Care Organization (CCO) |
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Definition
| Hospitals and providers working cooperatively to provide care within a community |
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Term
| Coordination of Benefits (COB) |
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Definition
| Establishes procedures to be followed in the event of duplicate coverage thus assuring that no more than 100 percent of the costs of care are reimbursed to the provider or patient |
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Term
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Definition
| The flat fee that a patient pays, usually at the time services are rendered. Copayments may apply to doctor office visits, prescription drugs, etc. The amount will vary based on the defined benefit plan |
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Term
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Definition
| A leveling method where one patient group is charged more to make up for another groups underpayment or inability to pay |
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Term
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Definition
| Combination of a payor and a plan held by a subscriber |
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Term
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Definition
| The examination of a healthcare professional’s credentials, practice history and medical certification or license. Credentialing is done for hospital privileges as well as payor requirements for reimbursement. Most provider organizations employ staff to monitor and credential their providers |
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Term
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Definition
| Claim submission to a secondary payor when Medicare is primary (Medigap). Medicare requires specifications and payor identifiers on the claim form to submit a claim directly to the secondary payor following their adjudication |
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Term
| Current Procedural Terminology (CPT© (CPT codes)) |
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Definition
| A procedure identification system that serves as the basis for healthcare billing. CPT© coding assigns a five-digit code to each service or procedure provided by a physician. CPT coding simplifies billing and is a way to protect a patient’s medical privacy. CPT codes are licensed property of the America Medical Association (AMA). Many times complete files of CPT codes are obtained from 3rd party vendors for system implementation and master file build. These could be the AMA, InGenix, or other parties |
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Term
| Diagnosis code (ICD-9 (international classification of diseases-9th edition)) |
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Definition
| A listing of codes to report each medical illness. The codes provide a uniform language in which to record and report medical diagnoses. Many times complete files of ICD-9 codes are obtained from 3rd party vendors for system implementation and master file build |
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Term
| Discounted Fee-for-Service |
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Definition
| Physician services are provided as fee-for-service (i.e. not capitated) but at a negotiated rate less than his/her usual fee. The provider/organization is at risk for the difference between the billed amount and allowed amount |
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Term
| Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) |
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Definition
| A classification system using 383+ major diagnostic categories that assign patients into case types (most often related to hospital services). It is used to facilitate utilization review, analyze patient case mix, and determine hospital reimbursement (a means of cost control). For example, the classification of DRG 320 is for kidney and urinary tract infection |
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Term
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Definition
| A list of pharmaceutical products and dosages deemed by a healthcare organization to be the best, most economical treatments (defined as patient formulary in EpicCare). The list varies from one organization to another, and in some healthcare systems, providers are expected to use the listed products |
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Term
| Electronic data interchange (EDI) |
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Definition
| A standard transmission format for business information sent from one computer to another using strings of data (used by banking, healthcare, etc.). The data may be exchanged in either a standardized or proprietary format. Eliminates the process of information transfer on paper |
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Term
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Definition
| The ability to be part of a healthcare plan, including a definition of the specific benefits for which a member qualifies and the time frame of coverage |
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Term
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Definition
| Ability to receive and accept electronically member enrollment data from a payor |
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Term
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Definition
| The portion of health plan premiums paid by an employee (often debited from wages) to the company’s contracted payor |
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Term
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Definition
| One visit to a provider. If more than one evaluation or procedure takes place at that visit, it is still usually considered one encounter |
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Term
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Definition
| A member of a health plan or a member’s qualifying dependent |
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Term
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Definition
| Healthcare services provided for a specific illness during a set time period |
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Term
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Definition
| Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment. EPSDT is Medicaid’s comprehensive and preventative child health program as established by an amendment to the Social Security Act in 1967. EPSDT was defined by law in 1989 and includes periodic screening, vision, dental, and hearing services for all individuals under the age of 21. In California, this program has been incorporated into the CHDP (Child Health and Disability Prevention) program. (EPSDT can also be referred to as Well Child) |
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Term
| Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) |
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Definition
| Structurally similar to a PPO in that an EPO can simply be a network of health care providers: however, the beneficiary cannot go out of the network or must pay the entire cost of services. EPO physicians are reimbursed only for services actually provided to plan beneficiaries (rather than a capitated rate) |
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Term
| Explanation of benefits (EOB) |
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Definition
| After a provider sends a claim to a payor, this billing summary is issued to the patient and provider, detailing the charges for services rendered, which portions are paid by insurance and the amount the patient must pay |
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Term
| Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) |
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Definition
| FQHCs are public or not for profit, consumer-directed health care corporations which provide high quality, cost-effective and comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved and uninsured people. This nationwide network of safety net providers is primarily comprised of health centers which are supported by federal grants under the US Public Health Service Act (PHSA): Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless Programs, Public Housing Primary Care Programs and Urban Indian and Tribal Health Centers. These providers must meet rigorous federal standards related to quality of care and services as well as cost, and they are qualified to receive cost-based reimbursement under Medicaid and Medicare law |
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Term
| Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes |
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Definition
| Some centers meet the same basic qualifications as regular FQHCs: they are public or not-for-profit, furnish services to anyone regardless of ability to pay, and have consumer boards made up of a majority of patients (at least 51% must be consumers of center services.) But these centers are not official FQHCs because there are insufficient funds for them to receive Public Health Service grants. Because they "look like" FQHCs though, they receive the same cost-based reimbursement as other FQHCs. Some states have used these FQHC look-alikes to provide health services in areas of need, even if PHS funds are not available |
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Term
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Definition
| A procedure and its related pricing information. A fee schedule can control pricing based on specific criteria such as provider, location, financial class, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| The most common U.S. healthcare payment system. A physician declares his or her own rates and is paid for each medical service delivered, as opposed to a flat-rate plan such as capitation. Many times this implies “no insurance” (self-pay) or “expect payment in full” |
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Term
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Definition
| A break down and tracking of accounts receivable dollars by specific groupings. This allows for expanded tracking and aging of dollars by payor, third party liability, self-pay, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| A physician who manages a patient’s various healthcare services, coordinates referrals and helps control healthcare costs by screening out unnecessary services (typically a patient’s primary care physician). Many health plans insist on the gatekeeper’s prior approval for special services or the claim will not be covered |
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Term
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Definition
| The person with ultimate responsibility for charges on an account. Anything not paid by insurance will be billed to the guarantor |
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Term
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Definition
| HCFA Common Procedural Coding System. An expansion of billing codes (CPT codes) to account for additional services such as ambulance transport, supplies and equipment. These codes are an alpha character followed by 4 numeric digits (A3450) |
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Term
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Definition
| Standardized claim form used for submission of provider services to a payor - used to submit patient services in an Ambulatory Care setting. The HCFA 1500 form is paper format, not an electronic one |
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Term
| Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) |
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Definition
| The branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare and the federal portion of Medicaid |
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Term
| Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) |
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Definition
| A complex law that protects a person’s credit for previous healthcare insurance to cover pre-existing conditions when changing health plans and institutes new mandates concerning electronic healthcare transactions and data |
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Term
| Health maintenance organization (HMO) |
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Definition
| A health plan that offers a range of services to its members for a pre-paid premium. Members pay a fixed rate and usually must use the participating physicians and facilities to qualify for coverage unless an outside referral is approved. HMOs use various approaches to gather their providers, including the staff model, group model, Independent Practice Association and network model |
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Term
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Definition
| A person’s specific health benefits package or the organization that provides such a package. Blue Cross/Blue Shield offers health plans (benefits packages), but a health maintenance organization (a company) also is a health plan |
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Term
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Definition
| Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set. Performance standards for health plans that employers can use as a guide to compare health plans and to understand what a plan offers. Developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), HEDIS also is a way for health plans to see what is expected of them |
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Term
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Definition
| An organization that arranges for and provides necessary healthcare services in a patient’s home |
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Term
| Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) |
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Definition
| A healthcare accounting term used when services have been delivered but the claim has not been processed and paid by the insurer yet. Payors often keep funds in reserve to cover IBNR services temporarily. Payors can estimate funds required based on previous claim history. A payor may choose to send a check for IBNR dollars prior to processing the claims (this could occur at year-end or at the payor’s fiscal year end) |
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Term
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Definition
| Payor plans that provide patients with a broader range of choices for services and providers (patient is not confined to specific providers within a network). In most cases, indemnity insurance plans only cover a portion of the services or many not cover them at all. The patient is responsible to pay a larger portion out of pocket |
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Term
| Independent Provider Association (IPA) |
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Definition
| A legal entity composed of physicians who have organized for the purpose of negotiating contracts to provide medical services. Typically, physicians keep their independent businesses but negotiate as a group with payors. A super IPA has many IPAs rolled into one to contract with payors |
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Term
| Independent Provider Network (IPN) |
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Definition
| A network comprised of primary and secondary hospitals and providers within a city or other geographic unit that have agreed to work together |
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Term
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Definition
| Services delivered to a patient who needs physician care for at least 24 hours, usually in a hospital |
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Term
| Integrated delivery system (IDS) |
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Definition
| A unified healthcare system that provides physician, hospital and ambulatory care services for its members by contracting with several provider sites and health plans. Participants sometimes are called integrated providers |
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Term
| Integrated Service Network (ISN) |
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Definition
| A network of hospitals, physicians and other health care professionals that provides health services to members or enrollees for a capitated fee. Although ISNs are similar to HMOs, they are intended to be more flexible in terms of their relationship in health care providers and more sophisticated in their management of patient care |
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Term
| Intermediate care facility |
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Definition
| A place that provides medical care to patients who don’t need to be in a hospital. This is a transitional care facility during which time the patient is recuperating prior to being discharged to home or transferred to an institutional setting such as a nursing home |
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Term
| Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) |
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Definition
| An independent, non-profit group that accredits healthcare organizations. Some of the healthcare network criteria in JCAHO’s accreditation manual for 1998 include heightened attention to patient education and management of information |
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Term
|
Definition
| At the completion of a visit, the cost is determined based on detail of history collection, the number of systems reviewed during the exam, and the complexity of medical decision making during a patient encounter. In a case when counseling accounts for more than 50% of the visit, time is the element measured. Once the level of service is determined, a corresponding CPT code is assigned. Based on the code, billing can be done based on the dollar amount associated with the code. CPT codes can even take into account whether a patient is new or established for the practice. Providers must learn what elements are required for each LOS and support the coding with documentation in the medical record |
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Term
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Definition
| A healthcare system and ideology based on prepaid membership instead of fee-for-service payment each time service is delivered. Main characteristics: 1. The system usually includes a set group of providers and is associated with a certain health plan. 2. Patients must be enrolled in the relevant health plan and pay the set premium in advance. 3. The health plan and the providers share financial responsibility for care delivery |
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Term
| Managed-Care Organization (MCO) |
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Definition
| Any organization whose goal is to eliminate excessive and unnecessary service, thereby keeping health care costs manageable |
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Term
| Management services organization (MSO) |
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Definition
| Provides practice management services to physician groups and hospitals. An MSO typically controls the business assets of the group it serves |
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Term
|
Definition
| A software database that collects a patient’s various identification number (hospital, laboratory, radiology, clinic, etc.) and keeps them under a single, enterprise wide identification number |
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Term
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Definition
| a federal-state matching entitlement program that provides medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. This program became law in 1965 as a jointly funded venture between the federal and state governments to assist the states in providing adequate medical care to needy individuals. Medicaid programs often vary from state to state, with some states adding additional programs (e.g. Badgercare in Wisconsin). California’s Medicaid program is referred to as Medi-Cal and Tennessee’s program is referred to as TennCare |
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Term
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Definition
| a private company that has a contract with Medicare to pay and review Part A and some Part B bills. (Also called an intermediary or fiscal intermediary.) |
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Term
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Definition
| Instead of paying the premium for portions of Medicare, the patient pays a flat fee to the Medicare risk contract, which then assumes responsibility for delivering healthcare. Like an HMO, most risk contracts cover only the services delivered by listed providers. An example of a Medicare Risk contract would be Medicare Blue which is currently active in Wisconsin |
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Term
|
Definition
| Voluntary, private insurance coverage purchased by Medicare enrollees to cover cost of services not provided by Medicare |
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Term
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Definition
| Medicare’s terminology for payors who have contracted with them for automatic crossover following adjudication of a claim |
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Term
| National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) |
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Definition
| A non-profit organization that acts as a watchdog for the quality of care delivered by managed care plans and physician organizations. Its accreditation process includes HEDIS and patient satisfaction surveys |
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Term
| National Provider Identifier (NPI) |
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Definition
| The intended replacement for the Unique Physician Identifier Number system. Under development by the Health Care Financing Administration, the system will assign a unique eight-character ID to each provider who bills services under Medicare or as stipulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
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Term
|
Definition
| Defines the specific providers, clinics and hospitals where a patient can seek care. Is also referred to as a panel |
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Term
|
Definition
| A nurse who serves as the initial contact into the health care system and coordinates community-based services necessary for health promotion, health maintenance, rehabilitation, or prevention of disease and disability. Nurse practitioners work interdependently with other health care professionals to provide primary health services in many communities |
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Term
|
Definition
| Outside an organization’s service are for a particular benefit package. For example, a member’s coverage for a particular benefit package may be invalid if the member seeks services out of area |
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Term
|
Definition
| Services provided outside a specific network. Patients most often are referred for services because they cannot be provided within the physicians/entities within the network. If a patient seeks care outside his/her network without a referral, it is likely that they will be required to pay a larger portion (or all) of the charges related to their services |
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Term
|
Definition
| An assessment of a treatment’s effectiveness by considering its success as a care solution as well as its cost, side effects and risk. Outcomes data is a crucial component of an organization’s performance measurements. Building outcomes archives also can serve as a valuable resource for use in decision support systems |
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Term
|
Definition
| hospital insurance coverage to help pay for inpatient stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, home health care, and hospice care |
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Term
|
Definition
| medical insurance coverage to help pay for doctor’s services, outpatient hospital care, durable medical equipment, and some medical services not covered by Part A |
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Term
| Patient accounting system |
|
Definition
| Software that records charges to patients, creates billing forms and maintains payment records |
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Term
|
Definition
| The entity (usually an insurance company) responsible for reimbursement of patient services |
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Term
| Peer Review Organization (PRO) |
|
Definition
| A professionally sponsored and operated system for the review of professional judgement about quality or appropriateness of treatment and related matters. The duties of PROs include arbitrating disagreements between or among physicians, dentists, patients and third parties |
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Term
| Per Member Per Month (PMPM) |
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Definition
| Refers to the specific dollar amount to be paid to a provider group for each member per month. This can vary based on age, sex and gender. (See capitation and managed care) |
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Term
|
Definition
| An allied health professional who, by virtue of having completed an educational program in the medical sciences and a structured clinical experience in surgical services, is qualified to assist the physician in patient-care activities |
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Term
| Physician Management Company, Physician Management Organization, Physician Practice Management (PMC, PMO, PPM) |
|
Definition
| Organizations that provide management expertise to medical practices. They might provide capital for building and expanding physician practices, contracted management, financial and information system services, recruitment of physicians, and so on, usually on a contractual basis |
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Term
| Physician Practice Without Walls (PPWW) |
|
Definition
| Physicians effectively integrate their practice and become employees of the new entity, yet maintain their separate, existing practice locations |
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Term
|
Definition
| A package of benefits provided by a payor |
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Term
|
Definition
| A healthcare maintenance organization plan that encourages the use of participating providers but does not require it. However, members usually are charged higher deductibles and copayments if they use providers who are not in the network. Also called an open-ended HMO |
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Term
| Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) |
|
Definition
| A system where insurance companies, employers and other healthcare buyers arrange lower fees with select doctors and facilities. Patients who use a preferred provider pay less, so in theory, a provider’s reduced fees are balanced by having more patients |
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Term
|
Definition
| A group of primary care physicians who contract among themselves and/or with health plans. Providers in the group usually share financial responsibilities and risks |
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|
Term
| Primary care physician (PCP) |
|
Definition
| The provider assigned to be the primary caregiver for a patient. The provider treats routine injuries and illnesses and focuses on preventative care. The PCP serves as the gatekeeper for managed care |
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Term
|
Definition
| Procedure used by payors to control utilization of services based on review and approval prior to providing care |
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|
Term
|
Definition
| Services that are rendered by a specific provider (example would be physician service such as the visit provided by your primary care provider, reading of x-rays, etc.) |
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|
Term
| Provider Sponsored Organization (PSO) |
|
Definition
| Integrated groups of doctors and hospitals that assume managed-care (often Medicare) risk contracts |
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Term
|
Definition
| Healthcare professionals who are licensed to provide patient services. These consist of physicians (MD, OD, etc.), physician assistants (PA), nurse practitioners (NP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), etc. |
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Term
|
Definition
| An assessment of the delivery portion of healthcare plans to make sure patients are receiving high quality care when and where they need it. The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a key agency in evaluating the performance of managed care plans |
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Term
|
Definition
| The act of sending a patient to another provider for the purpose of specialized diagnostic assessment and treatment |
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Term
|
Definition
| A notice of payment due, either in paper form or as a notice of an electronic data interchange financial transaction |
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|
Term
| Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) |
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Definition
| A national fee system for Medicare payments to physicians. The fee schedule is designed to shift payment from a number of more costly specialties (such as those in surgery) to primary care |
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Term
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Definition
| Common in a health maintenance organization setting, this arrangement combines the risk of financial losses for all care providers in a business entity such as a hospital or physician group. One provider’s losses are shared by all, but gains also are shared |
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Term
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Definition
| A company that creates and maintains its own health plan for its employees instead of contracting with an outside insurance provider. Also called self-funded |
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Term
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Definition
| Services that the patient is responsible for. This would be due to the fact that the patient is not covered by a specific payor plan and is responsible to pay the entire sum |
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Term
| Skilled nursing facility (SNF) |
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Definition
| A place for patients who need the scheduled medical care of a nurse but don’t need to stay in a hospital (transitional care for rehabilitation) |
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Term
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Definition
| A portable, updatable card that can be used to store personal identification, medical history and insurance information. Because it has its own microprocessing chip, a smart card can store thousands more bits of information than a magnetic stripe card, although it requires a special card-reading device. A smart card can be presented to a healthcare facility to confirm identification, payor coverage, allergies, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| An agreement by which the primary insurer, usually a health insurance company, can collect funds from a patient’s other benefits sources (i.e. auto insurance - injuries incurred in a car accident) as reimbursement for claim costs. Not legal in all states. |
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Term
| Third-Party Administrator (TPA) |
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Definition
| A company independent of a healthcare organization that handles claims and/or other business |
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Term
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Definition
| this title of the Social Security Act authorized the creation of Medicaid |
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Term
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Definition
| unchanged claim that is re-submitted to an insurance company or Medicare to determine the status of the original claim |
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Term
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Definition
| This procedure is used to guide patients to proper services through use of an intermediary person to gather preliminary information and answer patients’ questions |
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Term
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Definition
| Claim format that is used for submission of patient services when they are provided in a hospital setting |
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Term
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Definition
| The procedural rules on patient billing, including what information should appear on the bill and how it should be coded |
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Term
| Unique Physician Identifier Number (UPIN) |
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Definition
| A database system created in 1985 that gave a unique ID number to each physician who billed his or her services under Medicare. The Health Care Financing Administration plans to replace this system with the National Provider Identifier system, already under construction |
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Term
| Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) |
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Definition
| A fee schedule used by payors (insurance company’s) to determine reimbursement for services provided. This fee schedule might be applicable to a specified service area or on some other judgment of reasonability |
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Term
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Definition
| A review process used to make sure a patient’s hospital stay, surgery, tests or other treatment is necessary |
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Term
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Definition
| A process description of how tasks are done, by whom, in what order and how quickly. Workflow can be used in the context of electronic systems or people, i.e. an electronic workflow system can help automate a physician’s personal workflow |
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Term
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Definition
| the system of terms belonging or peculiar to a science, art, or specialized subject; nomenclature; a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline; the special words or phrases used in a particular art, science, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| the company by which you are now employed; what customers call Hyperspace |
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Term
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Definition
| "background" engivonrment of Epic; location for Cache; basis for the Admin classes of your application; where many Hyperspace settings are programmed, altered, and build; what customers call the "dark side" |
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Term
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Definition
| a flow of work; a series of actions performed to accomplish a task |
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Term
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Definition
| a software application used to send information to or receive information from another system; a place at which independent systems meet and act on or communicate with each other |
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Term
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Definition
| a standalone set of code and data defined within an instance of Cache. Each individual environment contains data (globals) and code (routines) accessible only to users who are given access to that environments. One environment is represented by two or more namespaces taht define what globals and routines are accessbile |
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Term
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Definition
| integrated workgroups with represntation from all roles who act to support Epic installs |
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Term
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Definition
| brining up an important or urgent issue with one or more people because it will affect a larger issue later on if not dealt with now |
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Term
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Definition
| what must be accomplished within a particular timeframe |
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Term
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Definition
| standing your ground on an issue with the customer |
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Term
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Definition
| system to which Epic sends information |
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Term
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Definition
| an item that needs to be done or completed |
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Term
| Ownership of an issue/topic/session |
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Definition
| responsibility of an issue/topic/session |
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Term
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Definition
| leading the progress of a session/discussion |
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Term
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Definition
| supporting the progress of a session/discussion using a tool (typically the computer) |
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Term
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Definition
| developing an alternative process to get a job done |
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Term
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Definition
| remove a certain conversation or topic from a meeting to engage a smaller set of people at a later time |
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Term
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Definition
| used during a meeting, a place to write down issues for later discussion |
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Term
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Definition
| confusion or disorder in a discussion caused by a lack of direction or leadership |
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Term
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Definition
| used to move along a discussion and reference a future process or methodology to be implemented immediately |
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Term
| Where does a document live? |
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Definition
| what is the location for the document? |
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Term
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Definition
| time log system, Epic's internal time usage tracking system |
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Term
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Definition
| time log projct number (used for billing and record-keeping) |
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Term
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Definition
| quality assurance: a specialty area of Epic product testers; an Epic process to track bugs and enhancement issues in the systems |
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Term
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Definition
| internal system used to track changes to Epic code, issues, enhancement ideas, and customer issues |
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Term
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Definition
| subject matter expert: customer end-user who is knowledgeable about workflows in certain areas; important in validation sessions |
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Term
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Definition
| getting the organization prepared for organizational alterations effectively and efficiently |
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Term
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Definition
| the process of adding work to a project, little by little, until the original schedule and cost estimates are completely meaningless |
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Term
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Definition
| project management jargon for doing more than the project requirements call for |
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Term
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Definition
| application of knowledge, skils, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements |
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Term
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Definition
| clearly definable point in a project that summarizes the completion of a related or important set of activities; often used to summarize important events in a project and help key customers keep track of the project when they don't want to know all the details |
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Term
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Definition
| originally developed by the British government as a way to handle their large information technology projects; many companies in the UK have since adoptedit as their methodology of choice |
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Term
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Definition
| someone who has a vested interest in the success of a project; indivduals and organizations who are actively involved in the project or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected as a result of project execution or successful project completion |
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Term
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Definition
| someone may work on projects part-time and have dedicated duties in a functional group while she works on your project; it's very important to work with these people's functional managers to ensure their support of the project |
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Term
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Definition
| a general estimate used to make a decision about whether to pursue a particular project |
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Term
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Definition
| totality of characteristics of (the finished project) that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs |
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Term
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Definition
| a category or rank given (to products) having the same functional use but with different characteristics |
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Term
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Definition
| an integrated set of purposes, goal descriptions, resource requirements, conflicts, assumptions, and authorities that define a project and accompany the evolving master project plan during its development throughout the project |
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Term
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Definition
| any restriction that will affect the performance of the project or any factor that can affect when an activity is scheduled |
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Term
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Definition
| represents the lowest level of project activity that ahs both time and cost associated with it; should have a unique deliverably associated with it |
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Term
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Definition
| an activity required to complete a project that's too small to be elevated to the rank of work package; the steps to complete a work package |
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Term
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Definition
| continuously improving the plan as more information becomes available in the progression of the project |
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Term
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Definition
| logical representation of scheduled project activities and defines the sequence of work in a project; always drawn from left to right and reflects the chronilogical order of the activities |
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Term
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Definition
| a special bar chart that lists activities on the left side of the chart; dates are listed across the top, and activity duration is shown as a date-based horizonal bar running across the page |
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Term
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Definition
| when one activity in the project must be completed before another activity can be started |
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Term
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Definition
| amount of time that precedes the start of work on another activity |
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Term
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Definition
| the amount of time after one activity is started or finished before the next activity can be started or finished |
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Term
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Definition
| the time it takes, usually in hours or days, to work on an activity or work package (also called labor estimates) |
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Term
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Definition
| the time, usually in days, that it takes to complete the activity; sometimes confused with elapsed time |
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Term
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Definition
| adding extra money to a budget in case overruns occur; a standard project management tactic (also known as a contingency plan) used to mitigate unexpected cost overruns |
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Term
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Definition
| one person lists a procedure and another verifies it; with two people carefuly verifying the plan, chances for errors greatly diminish |
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Term
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Definition
| meetings (often scheduled and formal) between two people involved in a project; used to discuss priorities, resolve issues, and communicate overall responsibilities to the project |
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Term
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Definition
| one that is organized around common activities or expertise such as accounting or customer service |
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Term
| Pure-Project Organization |
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Definition
| one in which the project manager has full authority to assign priorities and direct the work of all the members of the project team |
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Term
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Definition
| one in which a project manager shares responsibility with the functional managers for assigning the priorities and directing the work of individuals assigned to the project |
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Term
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Definition
| a defined process or procedure used to elevate a decision to the steering committee of a project |
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Term
| Work Authorization System (WAS) |
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Definition
| a written method that sanctions the right work is done in the right order; it also provides direction that allows a team member to begin work on a specific activity or work package |
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Term
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Definition
| people are using the product or service (delivered by the project) exactly the way it was intended in the business case |
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Term
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Definition
| formal documentated procedures that define how project deliverables and documentation are controlled, changed, and approved |
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Term
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Definition
| an estimate of the costs and benefits of various alternatives and then using financial measures, such as Return on Investment (ROI) or payback period, to determine which of the alternatives is the most desirable |
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Term
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Definition
| a project schedule compression technique that rearranges work into parallel tasks orginally scheduled to be completed in sequence |
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Term
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Definition
| a technique for either reducing the amount of work or adding more people to complete the work |
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Term
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Definition
| a close examination of all parts of the project to determine its successes and failures |
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Term
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Definition
| a disciplines, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving toward six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service |
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Term
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Definition
| word used by Project Management Institute to describe an organization in which most of the resources are focused on project work |
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