FAQ

When you go to a doctor’s office, your first priority is to have an open trusting relationship with your clinician. All patients should have full information at the point of care. You can make the assumption that your doctor will have your digital health record with a complete list of your medications, allergies, conditions and past labs, procedure & treatment information. Your responsibility as an e-Patient, is to bring a list of question that are on your mind that includes: questions about conditions that you may have developed since your last visit such as a rash, cough, cough or other medical problem, medications you are taking (When to take, how often, What time of day, with food or not? and side effects that might occur). You should also bring up tests or procedures that you discussed in the past, and when they need to happen. Additionally, your need to remind your clinician about inoculations you might need and bring up all issues about your physical or mental health, that are bothering you.

A wearables device used in healthcare is a remote smart sensor  or accelerometer that tracks movements and speed, or sensors that measure human vitals such as heart rate, glucose levels, blood pressure, breathing function. While most wearables are either worn on the body or are attached to clothing, some function without any physical contact with the user for example, a mobile phone, smart tag or computer that can track user movements, and monitors this data in real time. Modern wearable technology includes fitness trackers, such as the Fitbit and the smart watch. They also include virtual reality headsets, smart jewelry, web-enabled glasses and Bluetooth headsets. Wearables work differently, based on their use: for health purposes, fitness or entertainment. Almost all wearable technology is based on the use of microprocessors, & batteries for connectivity to the internet so the collected data can be synched with other electronics, such as mobile devices or laptops.

Telehealth is a way to provide access and answers to people who are unable, due to distance, illness or inconvenience, to have a virtual conversation with their clinicians. The convergence of high bandwidth telecommunications, video technology, sophisticated medical robots and the spread of digital health records are enabling technologies that make this form of patient-clinician contact possible. Telehealth applications include: teletherapy, speech therapy, rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy, trauma and emergency care.

In the 21st century world of medicine numerous tests, procedures, labs, consultations are routine, your private health information is recorded and handled by many individuals, not the least of which are the billing agents and the IT employees in a healthcare institution who maintain all of this technology. In the coming era when artificial intelligence will combine with your health record and could drive patient portals and other online interactions to manage your care, keeping your health information private is going to be difficult. Although there are strict rules that protect the privacy of your health information, it is not always possible to keep it protected. There are two areas where you want to keep that information private. One is where your employer has access to your health information and could deny you a promotion based on an illness listed in your record. The second, and bigger challenge is to keep your health information away from use by the prying eyes of marketing companies who share it with commercial entities use it to sell you products. It is up to you to decide how, when and whether that information should be kept in strict confidence or not. Be Aware!

Patients’ following a prescribed treatment ordered by a physician, including the taking of medications at the times and dosages prescribed. 

Part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. AHRQ supports research to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, reduce costs, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to effective services. 

Includes the Stimulus Act with a provision that provides financial incentives for physicians to implement electronic health records. 

The CDC is a Federal Agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, whose mission is to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. CDC   enhances and promotes the health of U.S. citizens by monitoring, and controlling disease, working with states and other partners to maintain a system of health surveillance and prevention of disease outbreaks, including bioterrorism. CDC implements disease prevention strategies, maintains national health statistics, and provides for immunization services. Among its goals is to oversee workplace safety, and environmental disease prevention, as well as ensuring that the United States has strong, well-resourced public health leaders and capabilities at the national, state and local levels to protect Americans from health threats.  

CMS is the Federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. health benefit plans that engage covered individuals in choosing their own health-care providers, managing their own health expenses, and improving their own health with respect to factors that they can control. 

These are Federally funded medical facilities designed to provide ambulatory health services to underserved populations in both rural and urban areas. 

A control panel used in the emergency department of a hospital to track and monitor patients.  

A mathematical scheme for demonstrating the authenticity of a digital message or document. A valid digital signature gives a recipient reason to believe that the message was created by a known sender and that it was not altered in transit. Digital signatures are commonly used for software distribution, financial transactions, and in situations such as health care, where it is important to detect forgery or tampering.  

The delivery of health-care services that incorporates the use of information technology and fosters a collaborative environment between a patient and a provider, which includes sharing of information and interactive communication. 

An aggregate electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one health-care organization. The EHR includes patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports and images. 

 

A location that is removed physically from the intensive care unit in a hospital where physicians can monitor several ICUs at the same time. The eICU can be located within a hospital complex or off–site miles away, and is manned around the clock by intensive care doctors and nurses. 

Empowered health-care consumers who take an active role in their health care, collaborate with their providers, and use all available digital communication technology including the Internet, e-mail, smartphones, personal health records, and other applications and tools to manage and monitor their health and the health of family members. 

Entering a prescription in a data entry system and generating that prescription electronically. 

An asynchronous online discussion between a clinician and a patient via the Internet in a secure environment for the purpose of resolving issues and answering questions between office visits. 

The exchange of digital messages across the Internet. 

Emergency department/emergency room in a hospital.

An FSA allows an employee to set aside a portion of his or her earnings to pay for qualified expenses most commonly for medical expenses. It is similar to a health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement account (HRA). However, while HSAs and HRAs are almost exclusively used as components of a consumer-driven health-care plan, medical FSAs are commonly offered with more traditional health plans. Paper forms or an FSA debit card, also known as a flex card, may be used to access the account funds. 

The US Federal Agency responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, food supply, and cosmetics.

A professional health-care provider who oversees and coordinates care for patients. That person could be a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. 

Describes the common patterns of human DNA sequence variation. The HapMap database is a key resource for researchers to use to find genes affecting health, disease, and responses to drugs and environmental factors. 

The electronic movement of health-related data and information, including e-mail, the Internet, digital databases, audio and video, among organizations according to specific standards, protocols, and other agreed criteria. (Source: NAHIT) 

The deployment of digital communication tools, including e-mail, the Internet, digital databases, audio, and video, to facilitate information exchange among health-care providers and patients. 

Legislation enacted in 1996 by the US Congress to protect health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their job and to define national standards for electronic health-care transactions and address the privacy and security of health data.  

An organization that provides health-care coverage in the United States through hospitals, doctors, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract. The HMO covers only care rendered by those doctors and other professionals who have agreed to treat patients in accordance with the HMO’s guidelines and restrictions in exchange for a steady stream of customers.  

A region in the United States where there is a shortage of primary care physicians, dentists, and mental health practitioners as defined by CMS. 

Insurers, including health plans, self-insured employer plans, and third-party administrators, providing health-care benefits to enrolled members and reimbursing provider organizations.  

Funds that a set aside by an employer on behalf of an employee for health-care needs. 

Funds set up to assist individuals with payment of out-of-pocket health expenses. Both employers and employees contribute to the HSA up to an annual amount limit set by statutory cap. 

Provided funds to states for the construction of hospitals. 

An acronym that denotes an emergency contact who can be reached and who has access to an individual’s electronic health record when that individual arrives in the emergency department unconscious and unable to communicate with the doctors. 

was established under an 1863 Congressional Charter as a non-profit institution that would provide objective advice on matters of science, technology and health. Renamed the National Academy of Medicine in July 2015, the mandate of the institution is to improve health for all by advancing science, accelerating health equity, and providing independent, authoritative, and trusted advice nationally and globally.    

A social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged sixty-five and over. 

Refers to private insurance plans sold to Medicare beneficiaries that provide coverage for medical expenses not or only partially covered by Medicare.  

An initiative for the exchange of health-care information being developed under the auspices of the US Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). 

Individuals who are licensed to practice medicine, to see patients, give exams, make diagnoses, make referrals, and treat acute illness, injuries, and infections, as well as prescribe medicine. 

This is an acronym for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under the auspices of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The national coordinator serves as the secretary’s principal advisor on the development, application, and use of health information technology in an effort to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of the nation’s health through the development of an interoperable harmonized health information infrastructure. 

An approach to providing comprehensive primary care that encourages collaboration between individual patients and their personal providers, and when appropriate, the patient’s family. The PCMH becomes the main source of care for the patient. 

A secure website set up by a medical institution or a clinical practice where patients and doctors can maintain two-way password protected communication and where access to an electronic health record enables the patient/provider team to review medications, medical history, lab results, treatment programs, and other aspects of a patient’s care. 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a federal law that was signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. This act, along with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (signed into law on March 30, 2010) focuses on reform of the private health insurance market and includes provisions that provide improved coverage for those with preexisting conditions. It also addresses prescription drug coverage in Medicare and extends the life of the Medicare trust fund.  

A payment approach used in health care that correlates payment to a physician with how well the physician adheres to practi0ce standards and achieves certain outcomes based on a set of performance measures.  

An electronic cumulative record of health-related Information on an individual drawn from multiple sources that is created and managed by the individual. The data in the PHR and control of access to it are the responsibility of the individual. 

An initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit “fact tank” funded by the Pew charitable trusts founded by Joseph Pew. The Pew Internet and American Life Project provides information on the issues, attitudes, and trends with a particular focus on the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, the workplace, schools, health care, and civic/political life. 

A health-care professional licensed to practice medicine, with the supervision of a licensed physician, who works with patients in prevention, maintenance, and treatment, particularly individuals with chronic conditions. PAs conduct exams, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive care, prescribe medicine, and sometimes assist in surgery.  

A managed-care health insurance system where patients are required to choose a primary care physician from an approved network to monitor their health care in exchange for a lower cost for their insurance.

A managed care organization of medical doctors, hospitals, and other health-care providers who have entered into an agreement with an insurer or a third-party administrator to provide health care at reduced rates to the insurers or administrator’s clients or patients.  

A clinician who provides integrated health-care services and who addresses a large majority of personal health-care needs of patients in a sustained long-term relationship.  

Legislation enacted by the US Congress in 2003 to establish the first federal privacy standards to protect patient health information.

Any information that concerns the health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual.  

Any registered, licensed health professional who administers care to a patient. This can also refer to health-care delivery organizations.  

Organized systems for the collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, and dissemination of information about individual to support health needs. This also includes government agencies and professional associations that define, develop, and support registries. 

A health information organization that brings together health-care stakeholders within a defined geographic area and governs health information exchange among them for the purpose of improving health and care in that community. 

A medical facility, generally located at a retail pharmacy or other walk-in center (no appointment required), where patients can receive basic health-care services during regular hours as well as evenings and weekends. Fees for services are generally paid by the patient and are comparable to a standard co-payment. 

Automatic identification based on radio waves, using devices called RFID tags or transponders that include an integrated circuit for storing and processing information and an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. RFID is used in health care to match patients with medication and to track materials and people within the health-care setting. 

Mechanical devices that include the software to make them capable of performing a variety of complex tasks such as measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature or inspecting incisions and performing surgical tasks. These robots are monitored and assisted by a physician. 

A health-care provider who is trained in a specific area of medicine and offers care in that particular branch of medicine.  

Similar to an ATM or credit card, it contains a patient’s complete health history, including medications, insurance data, providers’ names, and family history.  

A mobile phone that includes advanced connectivity and communication functionality, which is based on an operating software system that enables a great variety of applications. Among these applications are full Internet access, e-mail connectivity, cameras and video cameras, GPS systems, and audio features that enable the user to dictate notes into the device that can be transmitted to an electronic health record or stored and saved or other storage medium. Other applications include use as an MP3 player, an e-book reader, movie viewer, and more. 

The use of communication equipment to link health-care practitioners and patients who are in different locations, allowing patients to receive care where and when it is needed. Telemedicine incorporates videoconferencing, the transmission of images, the use of patient portals, remote monitoring of vital signs, continuing medical education, and nursing call centers.  

The clinical application of consultative preventative and therapeutics services via interactive telecommunication systems.  

Home health care using various digital devices and noninvasive wearable monitors that measure blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, and heart rate and send these measurements through a telephone system or through a computer to a remote site where medical providers can check the readings and take appropriate action.