Acute Illness
Illness that comes on suddenly; requires intensive, immediate attention.
Chronic Illness
Incurable illness or disease, but treatable; requires ongoing care.
Citation
Written notice that informs a facility of violations of government or accrediting agency rules.
Client
Person receiving care; depending on the health care setting.
Community
People who live in a common area and share common health needs.
Cross-Training
Education in many different skills across (health care) disciplines.
Facility
An agency that provides health care.
Health Care Consumer
Person requiring health care services.
Hospice
Special facility or arrangement to provide care of terminally ill persons.
Hospital
Facility for care of the acutely ill or injured.
Open 24/7/365
Joint Commission
An organization that inspects and accredits health care agencies that meet high quality standards.
Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH)
Hospital in which a lengthy stay is anticipated; the patients accepted have medically complex problems but have a good chance of improvement.
Magnet Program for Excellence in Nursing Services
A voluntary program that recognizes hospitals for nursing excellence.
Managed Care
Method of paying for health care, used by insurance companies to provide efficient services at the lowest cost.
Obstetrics
Relating to pregnancy and childbirth.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Federal agency that makes and enforces regulations to protect workers.
Patient
Person who needs care.
Patient-Focused Care
Attention given to mental, physical, and emotional aspects of a person's beimg.
Pediatric
Patient from birth to 18 years of age.
Post Anesthesia Recovery (PAR)
Area where patients are monitored until they are stable enough to leave the surgical department.
Postpartum
After parturition; after birth.
Prenatal
Before birth; care of the mother during pregnancy.
Psychiatric
Relating to mental illness.
Quality Assurance (QA)
An internal review done by facility staff to identify problems and find solutions for improvement.
Resident
Person being cared for in a long-term care facility.
Skilled Care Facility
Long-term care facility. Skilled nursing facilities provide the most intensive level of care on the residential care continuum. Residents of these facilities have complex medical care and rehabilitation demands. Some are chronically ill and can no longer
Survey
A review and evaluation to ensure that the facility maintains acceptable standards of practice and quality of care.
Surveyor
A representative of a private or governmental agency who reviews facility policies, procedures, and practices for quality of care.