IT Healthcare Terms

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/index.cfm?action=glossary 3G (third-generation) network: Advanced cellular network supporting data transfer speeds from 144kbps to 2Mbps (theoretically). Cellular carriers hope to use 3G service to deliver advanced features such as Web browsing and streaming video. 802.11b: A wireless networking standard ratified by the IEEE in late 1999 and supported by the largest wireless local area network (WLAN) vendors. Also known as Wi-Fi. AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians): Has been interested in physicianpatient e-mail issues for some time (as witnessed by articles in Family Practice Management and Hippocrates magazines). The AMIA guidelines for clinical use of e-mail with patients are their recommended source on the topic. Access point: Radio-based device that provides users of wireless devices with access to a local area network (LAN). ADE (adverse drug event): An injury resulting from medical intervention related to a drug. Does not necessarily imply medical error; ADEs can include non-preventable incidents such as adverse reactions to properly prescribed drugs (see ADR), as well as preventable incidents due to improper prescribing or other errors. ADR (adverse drug reaction): A complication caused by use of a drug in the usual (i.e. correct) manner and dosage. Adverse event: An injury caused by medical management, rather than by the underlying condition of the patient. AMA (American Medical Association): Adopted guidelines in 2000 for e-mail between physicians and patients. AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association): The first professional group to issue guidelines for physician-patient e-mail. AMR (ambulatory medical record): A computer system for storing, managing, and retrieving electronic patient health information in the outpatient setting. In the inpatient setting, it is often referred to as an electronic medical record (EMR). Architecture: This term refers to the structure of an information system and how its pieces communicate and work together. Also see client/server and tiered architecture. ASP (application service provider): A vendor that deploys, hosts, and manages access to software applications for multiple parties from a central facility. The ASP charges a subscription fee to users of the applications, which are delivered over the Internet or other public or private networks.

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Bandwidth: A measure of how much information can be transmitted at once through a communication medium, such as a telephone line, fiber-optic cable, or radio frequency. Beaming: Transfer of data or software programs between devices, such as PDAs, personal computers and printers, using either infrared or radio-wave transmission. Bioinformatics: The science of developing and using computer databases and algorithms to hasten and improve biologicaland pharmaceuticalresearch. Biometric authentication: Technology that identifies a person through recognition of unique physical characteristics, such as retina or iris patterns, face shape, voice patterns or fingerprints. Bluetooth: A protocol designed for short-range wireless communication or networking among a variety of devices. Somewhat similar to, but distinct from, 802.11b. Broadband: A medium that can carry multiple signals, or channels of information, at the same time without interference. Broadband Internet connections enable high-resolution videoconferencing and other applications that require rapid, synchronous exchange of data. Browser: A software program that interprets documents written in HTML, the primary programming language of the Web. A browser such as Netscape Navigator 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. C+/C++: C is an established programming language found in many operating systems, including UNIX. C++, a daughter program based on objects, is quickly becoming a favored programming language as object-oriented technology gains popularity. Also see Java. Case management: Assignment of a nurse or other professional to assist identified patients through an episode of care. In the context of disease management, the case manager provides education, support and outreach to patients, in some cases including home visits and assistance arranging for needed medical and community services. CCR (continuity of care record): XML document standard that functions as an ongoing record of a patients care. Currently under development by several health care organizations. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): The federal agency charged with protecting the health and safety of U.S. citizens, both at home and abroad. Oversees the development and application of programs for disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education. Client: In a computer network, a workstation that retrieves information from a server. Client/server: A network system in which a dedicated computer (server) handles some data storage and processing tasks for applications used on personal computers or workstations (clients), which tap the servers shared files and processing power as needed. Also see distributed computing.

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CME (continuing medical education ): Educational activities designed to maintain or increase the knowledge and skills that physicians, nurses and other clinicians use in their professional activities. CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services): The federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). CMS, which was formerly known as HCFA, is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CPOE (computerized physician order entry): Refers to computer-based systems that automate and standardize the clinical ordering process in order to eliminate illegible, incomplete and confusing orders. CPOE systems typically require physicians to enter information into predefined fields by typing or making selections from on-screen menus. CPOE systems often incorporate, or integrate with, decision support systems. CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Information systems and software that enable an organization to manage customers in an organized way with the objective of building better customer relationships. Data: Information. Data dictionary: A list that describes the specifications and locations of all data contained in a system. Data entry: 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 and speech recognition. Data mining: Analyzing information in a database using tools that look for trends or anomalies without knowledge of the data's meaning. Mining a clinical database may produce new insights on outcomes, alternate treatments, or effects of treatment on different races and genders. Data repository: A database acting as an information storage facility. Although often used synonymously with data warehouse, a repository does not have the analysis or querying capabilities of a warehouse. Data synchronization/data syncing: The process of sending updates between a mobile computing device and a personal computer or application server in order to keep both sets of files synchronized. Sometimes called hot syncing. Sometimes spelled synch. Data warehouse: A large database that stores information like a data repository but goes a step further, allowing users to access data to perform research-oriented analysis. Database: An aggregation of records or other data that is updateable. Databases are used to manage and archive large amounts of information. Also see relational database. Database server: A computer that stores data centrally for network users. It often uses client/server software to distribute the processing of data among itself and other workstations

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on the network. Decision support application: A computer program that analyzes data and presents the information so that clinicians can make medical decisions more easily. Typical tasks of a decision support system include data storage, data analysis, predictive modeling, and riskadjusted comparison of actual outcomes with predicted outcomes. Detailing: The practice by which pharmaceutical representatives market drugs to physicians. Some pharmas are turning to the Internet to perform detailing, with the ultimate goals of reduced cost and increased effectiveness. See e-detailing. Digital certificate: An electronic certificate (actually a unique number) that establishes a users identity when conducting business or other secure transactions on a network such as the Internet. See also electronic certificate. Digital divide: A phrase coined to describe the gap between people who have access to modern information technology, particularly computers and the Internet, and those who lack such access--or the skills to exploit it. Disease management: A coordinated and proactive approach to managing care and support for patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, asthma, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. See also e-disease management. Distributed computing: A system in which computational and storage tasks are distributed among multiple computers rather than being performed exclusively by a central computer. Often used to overcome the limitations of a single computer or to exploit the unused computing power of a group of computers. Client/server systems are one type of distributed computing. See also P2P. DSL (digital subscriber line): A technology for delivering high-bandwidth Internet service over ordinary copper telephone lines. E-commerce: Transactions, such as buying and selling of goods, conducted via the Internet or other network. E-counseling: Psychological therapy conducted over the Internet, via e-mail, text chats, videoconferencing or other online communication methods. See also e-therapy. E-detailing: The use of the Internet and related technologies to perform detailing educational/sales presentations traditionally made by pharmaceutical sales reps to clinicians to promote prescribing of a companys drugs. E-disease management: The use of Web-based technology in support of disease management to provide patient-clinician communication, patient access to information, and patient self-management. See also disease management. E-encounter: A type of physician-patient electronic communication that is a two-way exchange of clinical information revolving around a particular clinical question or problem specific to the patient. It may be initiated by either the patient or the caregiver.

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E-prescribing: Practice in which drug prescriptions are entered into an automated data entry system (handheld, PC, or other), rather than handwriting them on paper. The prescriptions can then be printed for the patient or sent to a pharmacy via the Internet or other network. E-procurement: Procurement (i.e. ordering, payment, etc.) of goods and services via the Internet. E-therapy: Psychological therapy conducted over the Internet--via e-mail, text chats, videoconferencing or other online communication methods. See also e-counseling. EDC (electronic data capture): The use of electronic technology to gather and collect data, esp. in the context of clinical trials. Allows data to be aggregated, sorted, shared, and searched more easily than paper-based records. May be Web-based, use handheld computers, etc. EDI (electronic data interchange): A direct exchange of data between two computers via the Internet or other network, using shared data formats and standards. Electronic certificate : A unique number that establishes a users identity when conducting business or other secure transactions on a network such as the Internet. See also digital certificate. EMR (electronic medical record): A computerized medical record similar in structure, scope, and information content to a paper-based record. Capable of capturing, processing and storing information, and interoperable with other related systems, such as billing and administrative applications. Encryption: Translation of data into a code in order to keep the information secure from anyone but the intended recipient. Enterprise-wide network: A network in which all computers in the various facilities of an organization (e.g. a health care system) are connected. Ethernet: Probably the most commonly used standard for local area network (LAN) architecture. It supports data transfer rates of up to 10 megabits per second, although newer systems, called Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, support transfer rates of 100 Mbps and 1 gigabit (1,000 megabits) per second, respectively. Extranet: An intranet that allows specified levels of access to authorized, external users. Fat client: In a client/server system, a client that performs most of the necessary data processing itself, rather than relying on the server. FCC (Federal Communications Commission): The federal agency charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

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File server: A computer dedicated to managing the flow of information among networked computers and used as a storage location for data and applications shared by network users. Firewall: A security device situated between a private network and outside networks like the Internet. The firewall screens all information that attempts to enter or leave the private network, allowing or denying access or exchange based on pre-set access rules. Formulary: A list of medications (both generic and brand names) that are covered by a specific health insurance plan or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), used to encourage utilization of more cost-effective drugs. Hospitals sometimes use formularies of their own, for the same reason. GPS (Global Positioning System): A collection of satellites that continuously transmit their positions, allowing GPS receivers to pinpoint their own geographic positions by triangulation. Used in navigation, vehicle location and similar technologies. GUI (graphical user interface): An interface that allows a person to operate a software program using visual images (called icons), drop-down menu choices, and tool bars, rather than complex keystrokes and text commands. The most common manipulating device is a mouse. HAN (Health Action Network): Communication system used by the CDC to exchange disease information with state and local health departments. Handheld: A portable computer that is small enough to hold in one's hand. Used to refer to a variety of devices ranging from personal data assistants, such as Palm and Visor models, to more powerful devices that offer many of the capabilities of desktop or laptop computers. Handhelds are used in clinical practice for such tasks as ordering prescriptions, accessing patients medical records and documenting patient encounters. HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration): The former name for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). HCO (health care organization): Can refer to a hospital or provider group, as well as an HMO or other payer organization. HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; also DHHS): The principal U.S. agency responsible for protecting the health of citizens. HHS is responsible for more than 300 services, including overseeing medical and social science research, preventing outbreaks of infectious disease, assuring food and drug safety, and providing financial assistance for low-income families. CMS is overseen by HHS. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996): A federal law intended to improve the portability of health insurance and simplify health care administration. HIPAA sets standards for electronic transmission of claims-related information and for ensuring the security and privacy of all individually identifiable health information.

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HL7 (Health Level 7): 1. A standard interface for exchanging and translating data between computer systems. 2. A not-for-profit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institutes (ANSI) that develops standards for data transfer. Home monitoring: Use of physiologic monitors to assess patient status in the home. In some cases, results can be transmitted electronically to a case manager or physician. Host: A computer that acts as a source of information or provides functionality for multiple terminals, peripherals, and/or users. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The basic programming language for sites on the World Wide Web. This skeleton of code surrounds blocks of text and/or images and contains all the necessary commands and display instructions. A Web browser program is needed to interpret HTML and depict it as a graphical display on a computer screen. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): A language protocol used in communication among Web sites. When http appears as part of a Web site URL, it indicates to Web browsers, HTML spoken here. IDCOP (Idealized Design of the Clinical Office Practice): A collaborative initiative, sponsored by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, aimed at comprehensive redesign of the office system. IDCOP designs, tests, and deploys new models of office-based practices including e-communication practicesto improve performance, clinical outcomes, work satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering): A professional association that develops and promotes standards. The IEEE 802 standards are focused on communication protocols for wireless local area networks (WLANs). Internet: A publicly accessible, global network connecting millions of computers. The Internet carries data for applications such as e-mail, instant messaging and teleconferencing, in addition to the billions of documents and images that make up the World Wide Web. Although the terms Internet and Web are often used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. See also World Wide Web. Intranet: An internal network that looks and acts like the World Wide Web. Intranets allow companies to take advantage of Web-based technology and create a private means of sharing data and applications among their networked users. ISP (Internet service provider): A company that provides users with access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. Users connect to the ISP through ordinary telephone lines (dial-up connections) or through faster connections such as DSL, cable or fiber-optic lines. Although some ISPs charge by the hour, most offer monthly or yearly rates. Java: A platform-independent, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems and modeled on the programming language C++. Java applets--miniature applications designed to run within another program--now are popular features of Web sites. LAN (local area network): A network consisting of computers that are located in relatively close physical proximity to each other and are connected by wire cables, fiber optic lines, or

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other physical means. See also WLAN. Leapfrog Group: A group of Fortune 500 companies and other large health care purchasers founded with the goal of leveraging employer purchasing power to initiate improvements in the safety and value of U.S. health care. Leapfrog advocates the implementation of CPOE, as part of its larger patient-safety initiative. Legacy system: An existing IT system or application, often built around a mainframe computer, which generally has been in place for a long time and represents a significant investment. Compatibility with legacy systems is often a major issue when considering new applications. Master patient index: A database program that collects a patients various hospital identification numbers, e.g. from the blood lab, radiology department, and admissions, and keeps them under a single, enterprise-wide identification number. Medical error: The failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or the use of a wrong plan to achieve an aim in the health care delivery process. Medication error: A mistake made at any stage in the provision of a pharmaceutical product to a patient. NEDSS (National Electronic Disease Surveillance System): The CDCs electronic network for disease reporting that links the agency with state public health departments. Network: A general term for terminals, processors, and devices linked either by cable or wireless technology. Peripherals, applications and data can be shared by network users. Open source: Software in which the source code is available free to users, who can read and modify the code. P2P (peer-to-peer): 1. A network structure in which the computers share processing and storage tasks as equivalent members of the network. Different from a client/server network, in which computers are assigned specific roles. 2. A general term for popular file-sharing systems like gnutella, in which there is no central repository of files. Instead, files can be stored onand retrieved fromany users computer. See also distributed computing. PBM (pharmacy benefit manager): An organization that contracts with health insurance plans to manage prescription medication benefits. PDA (personal data assistant): A handheld computer that offers relatively limited functionality and computing power. Often used primarily as organizers, but some PDAs offer wireless e-mail and Internet access. Increasingly used in clinical practice for applications such as taking patient notes and ordering prescriptions. PHR (personal health record): Electronic patient medical information stored for subsequent direct access by the patient. Content may be entered by the patient or transferred from an existing electronic record, or a combination of both. Also known as a personal medical record (PMR).

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PKI (public key infrastructure): A system that uses electronic certificates and various authorities (servers that validate certificates, registrations, etc.) to authenticate each entity in an online transaction. PMR (personal medical record): Electronic patient medical information stored for subsequent direct access by the patient. Content may be entered by the patient or transferred from an existing electronic record, or a combination of both. Also known as a personal health record (PHR). Portal: A Web site that offers a range of resources, such as e-mail, chat boards, search engines, content and online shopping. Relational database: A database in which all information is arranged in tables containing predefined fields. Changing a field in one record automatically changes the same field in all related records, allowing for easy global database management. Using SQL, reports and comparisons can be generated by selecting fields of interest from the original database. RFID (radio frequency identification) : Technology that uses tiny chips and antennas to track products and store product information. Scalability: The ability to add users and increase the capabilities of an application without having to making significant changes to the application software or the system on which it runs. SCHIP (State Childrens Health Insurance Program): Created by Title XXI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, SCHIP was designed to enable states to initiate and expand child health assistance to uninsured, low-income children. Server: A networked computer that manages a specific set of network resources. A server may manage network traffic or peripheral use, store files, or run applications for users at other computers on the network. Service level agreement: A contract between a service provider and a user that specifies the level of service expected during a contract term. Service level agreements determine how performance will be measured and, in the event of underperformance, how the penalties will be calculated and paid. Smart card: An electronic device about the size of a credit card that contains electronic memory and, increasingly, an embedded microchip. The cards are used to store data--in a health care context, this is often personal health information. The data can be accessed using a smart card reader: a device into which the card is inserted. Smart cards are not the same as magnetic stripe cards, such as most credit cards; smart cards typically can store more information. Sniffer: A program that monitors and analyzes the flow of information on a network, searching for bottlenecks and problems. Network managers use sniffer programs to monitor traffic flow and keep data moving efficiently. A sniffer can also be used legitimately or illegitimately to capture data transmitted over a network. SQL (Structured Query Language): A standard command language used to interact with a database.

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Subscription-based model: A business model based on a monthly fee charged for the use of equipment, software, services or content, or some combination of those. Used by many vendors, such as providers of e-prescribing systems. See also transaction-based model. Supply chain management: Coordinating the movement of goods, from the initial customer order to final delivery of products. Includes management of raw materials, supply, production and distribution, taking into account quality, cost, customer satisfaction and production speed. The Internet is frequently touted as a tool for improving the efficiency of supply chain management. T1,T3,T4: Types of transmission lines in the T-carrier telecommunications system that are often used to provide Internet access to larger organizations. T1 lines can transmit about 1.5 Mbps 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 274 Mbps. Tablet computer: A flat-panel laptop that uses a stylus pen or touch-screen, rather than a keyboard, for entry of data and commands. Telehealth: The use of telecommunications and information technology to deliver health services and transmit health information over distance. Sometimes called telemedicine. Telemedicine: The use of telecommunications and information technology to deliver health services and transmit health information over distance. Sometimes called telehealth. Teleradiology: A form of telemedicine that involves electronic transmission of radiographic patient images and consultative text. Thin client: In a client/server system, a client with little processing or data storage capability that primarily relies on a central server to perform those functions. Total cost of ownership: A long-term view of all costs associated with a specific technology investment. Costs include that of acquiring, installing, using, maintaining, changing, and disposing of a technology during its useful life. Transaction-based model: A business model based on service fees charged for each transaction conducted using the vendors equipment, software, services or network. Used by some e-health vendors, including providers of e-prescribing systems. See also subscriptionbased model. UI (user interface): The part of an application that allows the user to access the application and manipulate its functionality. It can include menus, forms, command buttons, etc. URAC (American Accreditation HealthCare Commission): A not-for-profit organization that performs quality accreditation for the managed care industry. URAC also launched a Web site accreditation program in 2001 to establish quality standards for health sites on the Internet, and an Information Technology Advisory Committee to address other quality issues related to health care information technology. URL (uniform resource locator): A Web address. Each Web page has a unique URL.

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VPN (virtual private network): A network that uses public connections, such as the Internet, to link users but relies on encryption and other security measures to ensure that only authorized users can access the network. WAN (wide area network): A computer network that covers a large physical area. A WAN usually consists of multiple local area networks (LANs). WAP (wireless application protocol): A proposed standard for delivering content to mobile wireless devices such as cellular phones and handhelds. Web master: The person responsible for operating/maintaining a particular Web site or Web page. Web ring: A group of Web sites on related topics that are linked to each other in a loop, allowing a user to take a circular tour within a specific subject area. Web server: A networked computer that stores and transmits documents and other data to Web browsers via HTTP, an Internet data transfer protocol. Web site: 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. Web-enabled: Refers to software applications that can be used directly through the Web. Web-enabled applications are often used to collect information from, or make functionality available to, geographically dispersed users (e.g. disease surveillance systems). WEP (wired equivalent privacy): A security protocol for wireless local area networks (WLANs) using the 802.11b standard. Wi-Fi: Another name for 802.11b , a wireless networking standard ratified by the IEEE in late 1999 and supported by the largest wireless local area network (WLAN) vendors. Wi-Fi is short for wireless fidelity. Wireless Internet: Wireless mobile computing that uses the Internet as part of the underlying network communication infrastructure. Sometimes called wireless Web. Wireless LAN adapter: Component attached to or integrated into a handheld device that transmits data wirelessly between the device and a local area network (LAN) access point. WLAN (wireless local area network): A LAN that uses radio frequency technology to transmit data over relatively short distances. It can replace or extend a wired LAN. WML (wireless markup language): Web development language that allows Web sites to format content to fit the small screens and limited storage and processing capabilities of mobile devices. World Wide Web: An international group of databases within the Internet containing billions of documents that are formatted in HTML and link to other documents and files. Although the

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terms Internet and Web are often used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. See also Internet.

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