"Meaningful Use" is a term used in the context of the US federal incentive program that encourages eligible professionals, hospitals, and critical access hospitals to adopt, implement, upgrade, and demonstrate the meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. The program aims to improve patient care, enhance the health care system, and make healthcare more efficient through the promotion of EHRs.

The concept of "Meaningful Use" refers to specific objectives that providers must achieve in order to qualify for incentive payments. These objectives include activities such as electronic prescribing, maintaining an active medication list, providing patients with timely access to their health information, and submitting clinical quality measure data to regulatory bodies.

The program has evolved through several stages, each with its own set of Meaningful Use objectives and requirements. The current stage is known as "Stage 3," which focuses on improving health outcomes, advancing patient engagement, increasing the exchange of information between providers, and ensuring the security and privacy of patient data.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 is a legislative economic stimulus package enacted in response to the Great Recession. The act includes measures to preserve and create jobs, provide temporary relief for those most affected by the recession, and invest in infrastructure, education, health, and energy to promote long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

In medical terms, the ARRA provided significant funding for healthcare initiatives, including:

1. Medicaid: The ARRA included a temporary increase in federal matching funds for state Medicaid programs, which helped states maintain their Medicaid rolls during the recession and prevented further reductions in access to care for low-income individuals.
2. Health Information Technology (HIT): The act provided funding to promote the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technologies to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency.
3. Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER): ARRA established the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), which supports comparative effectiveness research aimed at providing patients and clinicians with evidence-based information on the relative benefits and harms of different medical treatments.
4. Prevention and Public Health Fund: The act created a new Prevention and Public Health Fund to support programs that prevent chronic diseases, promote wellness, and improve public health infrastructure.
5. Healthcare Workforce Development: ARRA provided funding for healthcare workforce development programs, including training for primary care providers, nurses, and allied health professionals, as well as initiatives to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities.
6. Medical Research: The act included funding for various medical research initiatives, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), to support research on diseases, vaccines, and medical countermeasures.

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient's medical history that is stored and maintained electronically rather than on paper. It contains comprehensive information about a patient's health status, including their medical history, medications, allergies, test results, immunization records, and other relevant health information. EHRs can be shared among authorized healthcare providers, which enables better coordination of care, improved patient safety, and more efficient delivery of healthcare services.

EHRs are designed to provide real-time, patient-centered records that make it easier for healthcare providers to access up-to-date and accurate information about their patients. They can also help reduce errors, prevent duplicative tests and procedures, and improve communication among healthcare providers. EHRs may include features such as clinical decision support tools, which can alert healthcare providers to potential drug interactions or other health risks based on a patient's medical history.

EHRs are subject to various regulations and standards to ensure the privacy and security of patients' health information. In the United States, for example, EHRs must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, which sets national standards for the protection of personal health information.

Health Level Seven (HL7) is a set of international standards for the transfer of clinical and administrative data between software applications used by various healthcare providers. The standards are developed and maintained by Health Level Seven International, an organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

The HL7 standards define the structure and format of the messages that are exchanged between different systems, such as electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory information systems, and radiology information systems. The messages contain clinical data, such as patient demographics, medication orders, and test results, as well as administrative data, such as billing information.

The HL7 standards are designed to be flexible and extensible, allowing for the integration of new data elements and message types as needed. They support a wide range of communication protocols, including file-based exchange, messaging using TCP/IP, and web services.

By providing a standardized way of exchanging healthcare data, HL7 helps to improve the efficiency and accuracy of care delivery, reduce costs, and enhance patient safety. It also facilitates the integration of disparate systems and enables the sharing of clinical data across different healthcare organizations.

"Reimbursement, Incentive" is not a standard medical term, but I can provide an explanation based on the individual terms:

1. Reimbursement: This refers to the act of paying back or giving compensation for expenses that have already been incurred. In a medical context, this often relates to insurance companies reimbursing patients or healthcare providers for the costs of medical services or supplies after they have been paid.
2. Incentive: An incentive is a motivating factor that encourages someone to do something. In healthcare, incentives can be used to encourage patients to make healthier choices or to participate in certain programs. They can also be used to motivate healthcare providers to follow best practices or to improve the quality of care they provide.

Therefore, "Reimbursement, Incentive" could refer to a payment made after the fact to compensate for expenses incurred, with the added intention of encouraging certain behaviors or actions. For example, an insurance company might offer to reimburse patients for the cost of gym memberships as an incentive to encourage them to exercise regularly.

"Diffusion of Innovation" is a theory that describes how new ideas, products, or methods spread within a population or society. It was first introduced by Everett M. Rogers in his book "Diffusion of Innovations" in 1962. The theory explains the process and factors that influence the adoption and implementation of an innovation over time.

The diffusion of innovation model includes five stages:

1. Knowledge: Individuals become aware of the innovation but lack further information about it.
2. Persuasion: Individuals form a positive or negative opinion about the innovation and consider adopting it.
3. Decision: Individuals decide whether to adopt or reject the innovation.
4. Implementation: Individuals put the innovation into practice.
5. Confirmation: Individuals seek reinforcement of their decision to continue using the innovation or, in some cases, to reverse their decision and abandon it.

The theory also identifies five categories of adopters based on their willingness to adopt an innovation:

1. Innovators: Those who are willing to take risks and try new ideas early on.
2. Early Adopters: Those who have social networks, respect, and influence and are opinion leaders in their communities.
3. Early Majority: Those who deliberate before adopting an innovation but eventually adopt it.
4. Late Majority: Those who are skeptical about the innovation and only adopt it when it becomes mainstream or necessary.
5. Laggards: Those who resist change and are the last to adopt an innovation.

In medical contexts, diffusion of innovation theory can be applied to understand how new treatments, drugs, or medical devices spread within healthcare systems and communities. It can help healthcare professionals and policymakers develop strategies to promote evidence-based practices and improve patient outcomes.

Medical Informatics, also known as Healthcare Informatics, is the scientific discipline that deals with the systematic processing and analysis of data, information, and knowledge in healthcare and biomedicine. It involves the development and application of theories, methods, and tools to create, acquire, store, retrieve, share, use, and reuse health-related data and knowledge for clinical, educational, research, and administrative purposes. Medical Informatics encompasses various areas such as bioinformatics, clinical informatics, consumer health informatics, public health informatics, and translational bioinformatics. It aims to improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and biomedical research through the effective use of information technology and data management strategies.

Nursing Informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. It involves the use of technology and health informatics tools to support the organization, analysis, management, and dissemination of nursing knowledge and patient care data to improve patient outcomes and nursing practice. Nursing Informatics also includes the development and implementation of clinical decision support systems, electronic health records, and other technologies that are used in nursing practice, education, administration, and research. The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes Nursing Informatics as a specialty area of practice and has established scope and standards for the specialty.

I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Purchasing, Hospital" is not a recognized medical term or concept. It seems that "purchasing" in this context might be referring to the process or department within a hospital responsible for acquiring goods, services, and equipment. This function is essential for the efficient and cost-effective operation of a hospital. However, without more specific context, it's challenging to provide a precise definition. If you have a particular aspect of hospital purchasing that you'd like to understand better, I'd be happy to help clarify if I can.

Electronic prescribing, also known as e-prescribing, is the practice of using electronic systems and technologies to create, transmit, and fill prescriptions. This process involves the use of computerized software or mobile applications that allow healthcare providers to write and send prescriptions directly to a patient's preferred pharmacy. The system can also check for potential drug interactions, allergies, and other factors that may affect the safety and efficacy of the prescribed medication.

E-prescribing offers several benefits over traditional paper prescription methods, including improved efficiency, reduced errors, and better coordination of care between healthcare providers and pharmacists. It can also help to reduce healthcare costs by minimizing unnecessary tests and procedures, as well as reducing the risk of adverse drug events.

Overall, electronic prescribing is an important tool for improving medication safety, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients.

"Physicians' Offices" is a general term that refers to the physical location where medical doctors or physicians practice their profession and provide healthcare services to patients. These offices can vary in size and setting, ranging from a single physician's small private practice to large, multi-specialty clinics.

In a physicians' office, medical professionals typically deliver outpatient care, which means that patients visit the office for appointments rather than staying overnight. The services provided may include routine check-ups, diagnosing and treating illnesses or injuries, prescribing medications, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, providing preventive care, and coordinating with other healthcare providers for specialist referrals or additional treatments.

The facilities in a physicians' office usually consist of examination rooms, a waiting area, nursing stations, and administrative support spaces. Some may also have on-site laboratory or diagnostic equipment, such as X-ray machines or ultrasound devices. The specific layout and amenities will depend on the size, specialty, and patient population of the practice.

The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is a standardized system in the United States for coding medical, surgical, and dental procedures and services performed by healthcare providers. It is maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is used to facilitate the processing of claims for reimbursement and to provide a uniform method for healthcare providers, suppliers, and insurance companies to communicate about services and procedures provided to patients.

HCPCS is divided into two main levels: Level I and Level II.

* Level I consists of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, which are five-digit codes used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services. CPT codes are maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA).
* Level II consists of alphanumeric codes used to report services not included in the CPT codes, such as durable medical equipment, supplies, and certain healthcare services, such as ambulance transportation and prosthetics.

HCPCS codes are used by a variety of healthcare organizations, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies, to process claims for reimbursement and to track utilization and cost of healthcare services.

The Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) is a systematically organized collection of medical terms that are used to describe medical diagnoses, findings, procedures, and other health-related concepts. It is a standardized terminology that is widely adopted in the field of healthcare and clinical research to facilitate accurate and consistent exchange of health information among different healthcare providers, institutions, and electronic health records (EHRs) systems.

SNOMED is designed to capture detailed clinical data and support effective clinical decision-making by providing a common language for describing and sharing clinical information. It includes over 350,000 concepts that are organized into hierarchies based on their relationships to each other. The hierarchical structure of SNOMED allows users to navigate through the terminology and find the most specific concept that describes a particular clinical phenomenon.

SNOMED is maintained by the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization (IHTSDO), which is responsible for updating and expanding the terminology to reflect changes in medical knowledge and practice. SNOMED is used in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European countries.

Certification is the act of granting a formal warranty or guarantee (a certificate) that a product, process, or service conforms to specified requirements. In the medical field, certification often refers to the process by which a regulatory body or professional organization grants recognition to a healthcare professional, institution, or program that meets certain predetermined standards.

For example, in the United States, physicians can become certified in a particular medical specialty through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) after completing residency training and passing a rigorous examination. Similarly, hospitals and other healthcare facilities may be certified by organizations such as The Joint Commission to demonstrate that they meet established quality and safety standards.

Medical certification serves several purposes, including:

1. Ensuring competence: Certification helps establish that the certified individual or organization possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide safe and effective care in their area of expertise.
2. Protecting patients: By setting and enforcing standards, certification organizations aim to protect patients from harm and ensure they receive high-quality care.
3. Promoting continuous improvement: Certification programs often require ongoing professional development and continuing education, encouraging healthcare professionals and institutions to stay current with best practices and advancements in their field.
4. Enhancing public trust: Certification can help build public confidence in the competence and expertise of healthcare providers and organizations, making it easier for patients to make informed decisions about their care.

I'm sorry for any confusion, but "United States" is a geopolitical entity, specifically the name of the country consisting of 50 states, and it is not a medical term or concept. Therefore, I can't provide a medical definition for it. If you have any questions related to health, medicine, or biology, I would be happy to try to help answer those!

Cost savings in a medical context generally refers to the reduction in expenses or resources expended in the delivery of healthcare services, treatments, or procedures. This can be achieved through various means such as implementing more efficient processes, utilizing less expensive treatment options when appropriate, preventing complications or readmissions, and negotiating better prices for drugs or supplies.

Cost savings can also result from comparative effectiveness research, which compares the relative benefits and harms of different medical interventions to help doctors and patients make informed decisions about which treatment is most appropriate and cost-effective for a given condition.

Ultimately, cost savings in healthcare aim to improve the overall value of care delivered by reducing unnecessary expenses while maintaining or improving quality outcomes for patients.

A Computerized Medical Record System (CMRS) is a digital version of a patient's paper chart. It contains all of the patient's medical history from multiple providers and can be shared securely between healthcare professionals. A CMRS includes a range of data such as demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports. The system facilitates the storage, retrieval, and exchange of this information in an efficient manner, and can also provide decision support, alerts, reminders, and tools for performing data analysis and creating reports. It is designed to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery by providing accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information about patients at the point of care.

Quality of health care is a term that refers to the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge. It encompasses various aspects such as:

1. Clinical effectiveness: The use of best available evidence to make decisions about prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. This includes considering the benefits and harms of different options and making sure that the most effective interventions are used.
2. Safety: Preventing harm to patients and minimizing risks associated with healthcare. This involves identifying potential hazards, implementing measures to reduce errors, and learning from adverse events to improve systems and processes.
3. Patient-centeredness: Providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values. This includes ensuring that patients are fully informed about their condition and treatment options, involving them in decision-making, and providing emotional support throughout the care process.
4. Timeliness: Ensuring that healthcare services are delivered promptly and efficiently, without unnecessary delays. This includes coordinating care across different providers and settings to ensure continuity and avoid gaps in service.
5. Efficiency: Using resources wisely and avoiding waste, while still providing high-quality care. This involves considering the costs and benefits of different interventions, as well as ensuring that healthcare services are equitably distributed.
6. Equitability: Ensuring that all individuals have access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or other factors. This includes addressing disparities in health outcomes and promoting fairness and justice in healthcare.

Overall, the quality of health care is a multidimensional concept that requires ongoing evaluation and improvement to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Health care surveys are research tools used to systematically collect information from a population or sample regarding their experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of health services, health outcomes, and various other health-related topics. These surveys typically consist of standardized questionnaires that cover specific aspects of healthcare, such as access to care, quality of care, patient satisfaction, health disparities, and healthcare costs. The data gathered from health care surveys are used to inform policy decisions, improve healthcare delivery, identify best practices, allocate resources, and monitor the health status of populations. Health care surveys can be conducted through various modes, including in-person interviews, telephone interviews, mail-in questionnaires, or online platforms.

Primary health care is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as:

"Essential health care that is based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford. It forms an integral part both of the country's health system, of which it is the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community. It is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and community with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process."

Primary health care includes a range of services such as preventive care, health promotion, curative care, rehabilitation, and palliative care. It is typically provided by a team of health professionals including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and other community health workers. The goal of primary health care is to provide comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care to individuals and families in a way that is accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive.