Glossary

Ambulatory Care

Also referred to as outpatient care, healthcare provided at medical offices, clinics, outpatient departments and freestanding health centres for patients who do not stay overnight.

Anaesthesia

The loss of feeling or sensation as a result of medication.

AART

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

AA

Associate of Arts

BA

Bachelor of Arts

BEd

Bachelor of Education

Bone Densitometry

The bone Densitometer is a scanner that uses a small dose of X-rays to measure your bone mineral density (BMD). It also compares your measurements to a standard reference, which is based on age, weight, sex and ethic background. This information will help your physician in making diagnosis about your bone status and fracture risk. Bone densitometry is a safe, simple and effective way of diagnosing osteoporosis – a condition causing weakening of bones due to loss of calcium.

Blood Transfusion

Blood Transfusion laboratory staff are responsible for providing compatible blood for transfusion.

BSc

Bachelor of Science

BSN

Bachelor of Science Nursing

CA

Chartered Accountant

Cardiology

The branch of medicine dealing with the heart and its diseases.

CMART

Canadian Medical Association of Radiologic Technologists.

Clinical Chemistry

Often called Biochemistry, this branch is responsible for the chemical analysis of blood and other body fluids. Many analytical techniques are used along with sophisticated apparatus. The diagnosis and treatment of a patient may depend on the result.

Computed Tomography

The CT scanning system consists of a large framework called the gantry, which contains an x-ray tube. The patient is made to lie on an examination couch that has a sliding tabletop. The tabletop slides to the required distance into the large central window in the gantry so that the part to be examined (head, chest or abdomen) is directly opposite the path of the x-ray. To obtain the image, the x-ray tube rotates around the body during the x-ray exposure. The body absorbs the x-ray to a variable extent. After passing through the body, the remaining x-ray is picked up and transmitted to a computer system for image formation.

CCU

Coronary care unit

Critical Care

Treatment and care for those suffering from life threatening illnesses.

Cytology

The preparation and examination of samples of cellular matter from the body. Although best known for screening cervical smears, they provide non-gynaecological services.

DDS

Doctor of Dental Surgery

DEd

Doctor of Education

Dermatology

The medical specialty dealing with diseases and disorders of the skin.

Diagnostic Imaging

The use of techniques such as bone density, cat scan, mammography, magnetic resonance, nuclear medicine or echocardiography to create images of the body, its organs and structures for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Images can show how effective the body and its internal organs and structures are functioning.

Dialysis

The process of cleansing the blood when the kidneys are not able to filter the blood.

EEG

Electroencephalogram

Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine is a field of practice based on the knowledge and skills required for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury affecting patients of all age groups with any kind of disorder.

Enteral Nutrition

A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine.

Family Practice

A family physician is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family and is trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages. The family physician receives a broad range of training that includes internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, and geriatrics. Special emphasis is placed on prevention and the primary care of entire families, utilizing consultations and community resources when appropriate. 

Forensics

The use of DNA for identification.

Formulary

Also called Drug Formulary; a list of pharmaceutical products and dosages deemed acceptable (most economical and appropriate) by a healthcare organization, used as a prescribing guide or restriction.

Gastroenterology

The branch of medicine specializing in diseases of the liver, stomach, intestines and oesophagus.

Geriatric Care

Caring for the elderly.

Gynaecology

The branch of medicine specializing in the treatment of female reproductive system problems.

Haematology

This is mainly the study of the cellular elements of the blood and the changes brought about by many diseases such as leukaemia in its various forms. It also includes investigation of defects in blood coagulation and associated conditions.

Health Plan

The package of health benefits (or the organization providing the benefits) provided to an individual.

Histopathology

This involves the macroscopic and microscopic examination of body tissue removed during surgery or at post-mortem dissection. Many forms of cancer and other diseases can only be diagnosed by histopathic techniques.

Hyperbaric Oxygen

Oxygen that is an atmospheric pressure higher than the pressure at sea level.

Hyperbaric Chamber

A large chamber in which the oxygen pressure is above normal for the atmosphere; used in treating breathing disorders, carbon monoxide poisoning, problem wounds and decompression sickness.

ICU

Intensive Care Unit

Internal Medicine

The branch of medicine that provides non-surgical medical care to adults and adolescents.

IV Therapy

The introduction of a fluid to the body intravenously.

LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

LSW

Licensed Social Worker

LSWA

Licensed Social Work Associate

MA

Master of Arts

MD

Medical Doctor

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The human body is made of 80% water. A water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms. Each atom of hydrogen consists of a nucleus with a single, positively charged proton that behaves like a tiny magnet. When the human body is placed within a strong magnetic field, the protons in the hydrogen nucleus experience the effects of the magnetic field. Using radio-frequency waves, the protons in the water molecules can be stimulated to send out radio signals. A computer to produce images of the interior of the human body can process these signals. This novel method of imaging the human body is called magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI. Like the CT scanner the MRI also creates slice-like images. Unlike the CT scanner it does not use x-rays.

Mammography

A mammogram is a special X-ray examination of the breast on special equipment that can detect breast cancer at an early stage.

This test is performed for two purposes: diagnostic purposes – this test is preformed if a woman has symptoms of a breast disease such as a lump, nipple discharge, breast pain, dimpling of the skin on the breast, or a recent retraction of the nipple. Screening purposes – screening means looking for possible breast diseases, when you are well. A mammogram can detect tiny changes in your breast, which you may not have noticed. Early detection and treatment of such changes always offer the best chance for sure.

Managed Care

An approach to healthcare delivery based on the concept of prepaid membership rather than payment for service each time care is provided.

MEd

Master of Education

MHRIR

Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations

Microbiology

The Microbiology Department is responsible for isolating and identifying microorganisms that are causing, or may cause, infections. The sensitivity of the microorganisms to antibiotics and other drugs that may be used in the treatment of the infection is determined.

Midwife

A midwife provides the necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on her own responsibility and to care for the newborn and the infant.

MPH

Master of Public Health

MS

Master of Science

MSW

Master of Social Work

Neonatal

The first four weeks after birth.

Nephrology

The branch of medicine responsible for the treatment of kidney diseases.

Neurophysiology

The branch of neuroscience that studies the physiology of the nervous system.

Obstetrics-Gynaecology

An obstetrician/gynaecologist possesses special knowledge, skills, and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders. This physician serves as a consultant to other physicians and as a primary care physician for women.

Oncology

The branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumours.

Operating Room

A room in the hospital where surgical procedures are performed.

Ophthalmologist

The branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of eye diseases and injuries.

Orthopedics

The branch of surgery concerned with disorders or deformities of the spin and joints.

PACU

Post anaesthetic care unit.

Palliative Care

Palliative Care is appropriate for any patient and/or family living with, or at risk of developing a life-threatening illness.

Parenteral Nutrition

A way to provide a liquid food mixture through a special tube in the chest.

Pathology

The study of disease, focusing on causes, development and progress of disease, and how the body is affected.

Pediatrics

The branch of medicine that deals with the care of infants and children and the treatment of their diseases.

Perioperative

Around the time of surgery; usually lasts from the time of going into hospital or doctor’s office for surgery until the time the patient goes home.

PDR

Physician's Desk Reference; a listing of pharmaceutical products, their ingredients, uses, manufacturers, etc.

Pharmacy

The art and science of preparing, compounding, stabilizing, preserving and dispensing medications and the provision of drug and related information. Also a place where drugs are stored, compounded and dispensed.

PharmD

Doctor of Pharmacy

PhB

Bachelor of Philosophy

PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

PhG

Graduate In Pharmacy

Physiotherapy

An approach to preventing and to facilitating recovery from stress or trauma through the adoption of carefully planned physical exercises.

Plastic Surgeon

The branch of medicine responsible for repairing, restoring, or improving of lost, injured, defective, or misshapen body parts.

Prognosis

A prediction of what course a patient's condition will take.

Psychiatry

A psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and adjustment disorders. The psychiatrist is able to understand the biologic, psychologic, and social components of illness and, therefore, is uniquely prepared to treat the whole person. A psychiatrist is qualified to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, evaluate and treat psychologic and interpersonal problems, and intervene with families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living. 

Radiology

The use of x-rays in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

RN

Registered nurse

RPh

Registered pharmacist

Standard of Care

Conduct expected of a professional in a given situation, it is the measure against which a defendant's conduct is compared.

Surgery

The branch of medicine that treats diseases or illnesses with operative procedures.

Surgical Operation

A medical procedure involving an incision with instruments. Performed to repair damage or arrest diseases in the living body.

Telemedicine

Medical imaging technology and other provision of healthcare through use of telecommunications technology.

Transcription

Translation of dictated information into written form.

Triage

A method for prioritising care delivered and guiding patients to proper services by use of an intermediary who gathers preliminary information regarding patients' conditions.

Ultrasound

Uses special sound waves produced by ceramic crystals. The sound waves are passed through the skin into the human body using special devices called transducers. The waves are reflected back by different layers of the body. The reflected waves are picked up again by the transducer and converted into series of images.

Urology

The branch of medicine that treats urinary problems.