8.5: Key Terms

active listening

a communication technique in which the listener intentionally places all their attention on the person speaking; this can include multiple forms of verbal (not interrupting, asking pertinent questions) and nonverbal communication (facing the person, eye contact)

acuity

the severity and complexity of patient illness

acute care

a type of inpatient medical care for patients who require monitoring and medical assistance from professionally trained healthcare providers

against medical advice (AMA)

when a patient under inpatient medical care voluntarily leaves the hospital even though the medical team does not recommend it; also the name of the documentation form that is placed in the patient chart if the patient insists on leaving the facility

ambulatory care

patient care given in outpatient settings, which includes doctor’s offices, clinics, and outpatient surgery centers

designated learner

the patient or family member who accepts the discharge teaching and instructions given to the patient upon discharge

home health agency (HHA)

a service that provides medical care in a patient’s place of residence

intensive care unit (ICU)

an inpatient hospital unit for patients who are critically ill and require very close monitoring

interfacility transfer

the transfer of patient care between medical facilities; this can include from one acute care hospital to another, or from an LTAC or LTC facility to an acute care inpatient unit

long-term acute care (LTAC) facility

a type of care for patients with long-term acute care needs

long-term care (LTC) facility (also, nursing home)

a type of permanent medical facility that provides subacute care

medical-surgical unit

an inpatient hospital unit for patients with medical needs that cannot be addressed in an ambulatory setting but are not severe enough to warrant critical care admission

nonverbal communication

the use of gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning

nursing home

a long-term care facility that provides permanent residence and medical assistance to its residents

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube

a tube that is inserted into a patient’s abdomen to enable them to receive tube feedings; typically needed when a patient is unable to swallow food safely

power of attorney (POA)

a legally binding agreement that documents that an individual gives authority to manage personal matters (such as medical care, financial business, or property) to a chosen representative, often a significant other or close family member

primary team

the team that admits the patient and leads the discharge discussion

rounds

a daily routine in the inpatient setting that involves a recap of the patient’s hospital course from admission to the most recent update on their condition

SBAR

the Joint Commission’s best practice standard, an evidence-based communication tool that stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation

step-down unit

a transitional inpatient unit, usually when the patient is well enough to leave the intensive care unit but still requires more monitoring than a patient on the medical-surgical unit

sundowning

a phenomenon where adults (often older) become confused when the sun sets

triage

a method of evaluating patients according to the severity of their complaints and ensuring that patients with the most serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms that can be helped are seen first

verbal communication

the use of words and language to convey meaning

voluntary consent

documented consent from a patient that they agree to treatment