Ch 2 – Health Care Systems: Key Terms
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) – a federal agency established to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for Americans
Assisted living facilities- residential care facilities that provide housing, meals, personal care and supportive services to older persons and disabled adults who are unable to live independently
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- division of the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, concerned with the causes, spread and control of diseases in populations.
Clinics- Institution that provides care for outpatients; a group of specialists working in cooperation.
Dental offices- Private or group-owned clinic where dental care is provided
Emergency care services- provides special care for victims of accidents or sudden illness
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- A federal agency responsible for regulating food & drug products sold to the public
Genetic Counseling Centers- Clinics where counselors provide information to patients and/or families on genetic diseases or inherited conditions. Often the patients are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Health departments- provides health services as directed by the US Dept of Health & Human Services
Health Insurance Plans- payment for health care expenses, which may or may not occur, in return for a specified payment in advance
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)- Set of federal regulations adopted to protect the confidentiality of patient information and the ability to retain health insurance coverage
Health Maintenance organizations (HMOs)- a type of health insurance that provides a health care delivery system which administers health care directed toward preventive care.
Home health care- Any type of health care provided in a patient’s home environment
Hospice- Program designed to provide care for the terminally ill while allowing them to die with dignity
Hospitals- An institute that provides medical or surgical care & treatment for the sick or injured
Independent living facilities- allows individuals who can care for themselves to rent or purchase an apartment & advance to assisted living or long term care when necessary or as health and ability decline.
Industrial health care centers- also called occupational health clinics, are health clinics located in large companies or industries& provide basic health care for the employees of the company.
Laboratories- A room or building where scientific tests, research, experiments, or learning takes place.
Long-term care facilities (LTCs or LTCFs)- Provide assistance & care for the elderly, disabled, or chronically ill who are unable to live independently
Managed Care- A health care delivery system designed to reduce the cost of health care while providing access to care through designated providers
Medicaid- Medical assistance program jointly funded by the federal government & state governments but operated by the individual states
Medical offices- Offices providing medical care
Medicare- Government program that provides medical care for elderly and/or disabled individuals
Medigap policy- An insurance plan that serves as supplemental insurance to Medicare; usually pays deductible for Medicare and co-payments of care.
Mental health facilities- treat patients with mental disorders and diseases
National Institutes of Health (NIH)-A division of the US Dept of Health & Human Services; involved in research on disease.
Nonprofit agencies- agencies providing health services; supported by donations, membership fees, fund-raisers, and federal or state grants.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-establishes and enforces standards that protect workers from job-related injuries and illnesses.
Optical centers- provide vision health services
Organizational structure- A line of authority or chain of command that indicates areas of responsibility and leads to the efficient operation of a facility
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act- A federal statute signed into law and designed to expand access to affordable health coverage in the United States
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)- A type of managed care health insurance plan usually provided by large industries or companies to their employees.
Rehabilitation facilities- Provide care to help patients with physical or mental disabilities obtain maximum self-care and function; includes physical, occupational, recreational, speech, and hearing therapy.
School health services- Provides services to students in schools and colleges such as emergency care, health screenings, and health education. The goal is to maintain a safe and sanitary school environment.
TRICARE- U.S. government health insurance plan for all military personnel
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS)- a national agency that deals with the health problems in the United States
Voluntary agencies- nonprofit agencies
Workers’ compensation- Payment and care provided to an individual who is injured on the job
World Health Organization (WHO)-An international agency sponsored by the United Nations; compiles statistics and information on disease, publishes health information, and investigates and addresses serious health problems throughout the world