Informatics Glossary

Informatics Glossary A New Global Environment for Learning (ANGEL) A course management system designed to support classroom learning in academic settings. Acceptable use A corporate policy that defines the types of activities that are acceptable on the corporate computer network, identifies the activities that are not acceptable, and specifies the consequences for violations. Access To obtain or retrieve data in order to process it. Accessibility Ease of accessing the information and knowledge needed to deliver care or manage a health service; the extent to which a system is usable by as many users as possible. Acquisition The act of acquiring; to locate and hold. We acquire data and information. Active listening A therapeutic communication technique in which the nurse employs conscious attention to what a patient is saying, reflects back feelings and phrases, and asks questions to clarify meaning. Acuity systems Systems that calculate the nursing care requirements for individual patients based on severity of illness, specialized equipment and technology needed, and intensity of nursing interventions; and determine the amount of daily nursing care needed for each patient in a nursing unit. Administrative processes The processes used by administration, such as the electronic scheduling, billing, and claims management systems including electronic scheduling for inpatient and outpatient visits and procedures, electronic insurance eligibility validation, claim authorization and prior approval, identification of possible research study participants, and drug recall support. Admission, discharge, and transfer (ADT) systems Systems that provide the backbone structure for the other types of clinical and business systems; they contain the groundwork for the other types of healthcare information systems because they include the patient’s name, medical record number, visit or account number, and demographic information such as age, sex, home address, and contact information. They are the central sources for collecting this type of patient information and communicating it to the other types of healthcare information systems, including clinical and business systems. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) Protocol for a set of knowledge, skills, and clinical interventions for the immediate or initial treatment of life-threatening medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest or stroke. Adverse events Any undesirable experiences or outcomes in a patient related to the use of a medical treatment or product. Advocate Someone who represents another person’s interests; to act in patients’ best interest; to act and/or speak on patients’ behalf; to make the healthcare delivery system responsive to patients’ needs. Advocate/policy developer A nurse informatics specialist who is key to developing the infrastructure of health policy. Policy development on the local, national, and international levels is an integral part of this role. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that supports health services research initiatives. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) A federal agency that acts as a repository for research and data regarding hazardous materials that serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. ........................................................continued..................................................