Healthcare Acronyms

A&O

Alert and oriented

A&W

Alive and well

AA

Amino acid

AACOM

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

AAHAM

American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management

AAHP

American Association of Health Plans

AAPCC

Average Adjusted Per Capita Cost

AARP

American Association of Retired Persons

ABD

Abdomen

ABG

Arterial blood gas

ABN

Advance beneficiary notice

ABX

Antibiotics

AC

Before meals

ACA

Affordable Care Act

ACGME

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

ACHE

American College of Healthcare Executives

ACI

Advancing Care Information, also see meaningful use

ACIP

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

ACLS

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

ACO

Accountable care organization

ACR

Adjusted community rating

ACS

American Cancer Society

ACS

American College of Surgeons

ACU

Ambulatory care unit

AD

Right ear

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA

American Diabetes Association

ADC

Average daily census

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADM

Admission, admitted

ADPER

Acute disease prevention and emergency response

ADS

Alternative delivery system

AED

Automated external defibrillator

AF

Atrial fibrillation

AF

Acid-fast

AFP

Alternate Funding Proposal

AGPA

American Group Practice Association

AHA

American Hospital Association

AHA

American Heart Association

AHRQ

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

AI

Aortic insufficiency

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AIIR

Airborne infection isolation room

AL

Left ear

ALC

Alternate Level of Care

ALJ

Administrative law judge

ALOS

Average length of stay

ALS

Advanced life support

ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AMA

Against medical advice

AMA

American Medical Association

AMCRA

American Medical Care and Review Association

ANA

American Nurses Association

ANP

Advanced nurse practitioner

AOA

American Osteopathic Association

AOB

Alcohol on breath

AONE

American Organization of Nurse Executives

APC

Ambulatory Payment Classification

APG

Ambulatory Patient Group

APHL

Association of Public Health Laboratories

APM

Alternative Payment Model

APR-DRG

All payer refined diagnostic related group

ARC

American Red Cross

ARDS

Adult respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

Acute renal failure, acute rheumatic fever

ART

Accredited record technician

AS

Aortic stenosis

ASAP

As soon as possible

ASC

Ambulatory Surgery Center

ASO

Administrative services only contract

ASPE

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

ATLS

Advanced trauma life support

AU

Both ears

AUC

Appropriate Use Criteria

AXR

Abdominal x-ray

Abd.

Abdominal

Ad lib

At will, as desired

AAPM

Advanced Alternative Payment Model

BAC

Blood alcohol content

BAD

Bipolar affective disorder

BBA

Balanced Budget Act of 1997

BBRA

Balanced Budget Relief Act of 1999

BC

Birth control

BCAA

Blue Cross Association of America

BCBSI

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Iowa - Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa

BE

Barium enema

BHAI

Behavioral Health Affiliate of Iowa

BIA

Bureau of Indian Affairs

BID

Bis in dies (twice a day)

BIPA

Benefits Improvement & Protection Act of 2000

BLS

Basic life support

BLS

Bureau of Labor Statistics

BM

Bowel movement

BMD

Bone mass density

BMI

Body mass index

BMR

Basal metabolism rate

BMT

Bone marrow transplant

BN

Briefing Note

BP

Blood pressure

BPCI

Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative

BRP

Bathroom privileges

BTLS

Basic trauma life support

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen

Bx

Biopsy

C

Centigrade, celsius

C/F

Chills, fever

C/O

Complains of, care of

C/S

Cesarean section

CA

Cancer

CAA

Care area assessment

CAB

Carotid artery bruit

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

Coronary artery disease

CADAC

Certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor

CADE

Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology

CAH

Critical access hospital

CAHPS

Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems

CAM

Complementary and alternative medicine

CAP

Capsule

CARF

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

CAT

Computerized axial tomography

CBC

Complete blood count

CBD

Common bile duct

CBF

Cerebral blood flow

CBRNE

Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive

CBSA

Core based statistical area

CC

Chief complaint

CC

Cubic centimeter, chief complaint, critical care, complications, carbon copy

CCI

Correct coding initiative

CCM

Chronic care management

CCR

Cost-to-charge ratio

CCU

Cardiac care unit

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

CDOR

Center for disaster operations and response

CEHRT

Certified Electronic Health Record Technology

CF

Cystic fibrosis

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

CFT

Complement fixation testing

CHA

Catholic Health Association

CHAMPUS

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services

CHAMPVA

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veterans Administration

CHD

Congenital heart disease

CHF

Congestive heart failure

CHIP

Children’s Health Insurance Program

CICU

Cardiac intensive care unit

CIN

Clinically Integrated Network

CIO

Chief information officer

CIP

Critical infrastructure protection

CIPI

Capital input price index

CISM

Critical incident stress management

CJR

Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model

CLIA

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (1967)

CLIA

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (1988)

CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

CME

Continuing medical education

CMHC

Community mental health center

CMI

Case mix index

CMMI

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center)

CMP

Competitive medical plan

CMS

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

CMT

Certified Medication Technician

CNE

Chief Nursing Executive

CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

CNS

Central nervous system

CO2

Carbon dioxide

COB

Coordination of benefits

COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985

COG

Continuity of government

COI

Certificate of Insurance

COLD

Chronic obstructive lung disease

CON

Certificate of Need

COOP

Continuity of operations

COP

Condition of participation or Community of Practice

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CORF

Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitative facility

CP

Cerebral palsy

CP

Chest pain

CPC+

Comprehensive Primary Care Plus

CPCI

Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative

CPI

Consumer price index

CPIA

Clinical Practice Improvement Activities

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPR

Customary, Prevailing, and Reasonable

CPS

Composite Performance Score

CPT

Current Procedural Terminology

CQI

Continuous quality improvement

CQM

Clinical quality measure

CRNA

Certified registered nurse anesthetist

CV

Cardiovascular

CVA

Cerebral vascular accident (stroke)

CVI

Cerebrovascular insufficiency

CXR

Chest x-ray

CY

Calendar Year

Ca

Carcinoma

Cahaba GBA

Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators

D&C

Dilatation and curettage

D&E

Dilatation and evacuation

D/C

Discontinue or discharge

DC

Doctor of Chiropractic

DD

Differential diagnosis

DDS

Doctor of Dental Surgery

DEA

Drug Enforcement Administration

DHPC

Direct Healthcare Professional Communication

DHS

Department of Human Services (Iowa)

DIFF.

Differential blood count

DMAT

Disaster Medical Assistance Team

DME

Durable medical equipment

DME

Direct medical education

DMORT

Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team

DNR

Department of Natural Resources

DNR

Do not report

DNR

Do not resuscitate

DO

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

DO

Disorder

DOA

Dead on arrival or date of admission

DOB

Date of birth

DOJ

Department of Justice

DOT

Department of Transportation

DOT

Directly observed therapy

DPI

Bureau of Disease Prevention and Immunization

DPM

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

DPS

Department of Public Safety

DPT

Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus

DRA

Deficit Reduction Act of 2005

DRG

Diagnosis-related group

DSA

Disproportionate share adjustment

DSC

Doctor of Surgical Chiropody

DSH

Disproportionate share hospital

DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

DTR

Deep tendon reflex

DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

DVT

Deep venous thrombosis

Dx

Diagnosis

E&M

Evaluation and Management Services

EBL

Estimated blood loss

EBP

Evidence-based practice

EBV

Epstein-Barr virus

EC

Eye contact

ECASA

Enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid

ECC

Emergency coordination center

ECC

Emergency cardiac care

ECF

Extended care facility

ECG or EKG

Electrocardiogram

ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy

ECU

Environmental control unit

ECV

External cephalic version

eCQM

Electronically specified clinical quality measure

EDC

Estimated date of confinement

EDD

Estimated delivery date

EEG

Electroencephalogram

EENT

Eye, ear, nose and throat

EEOC

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EGA

Estimated gestational age

EGC

Early gastric cancer

EHR

Electronic health record

EKG, ECG

Electrocardiogram

EMAC

Emergency Management Assistance Compact

EMG

Electromyogram

EMR

Electronic medical record

EMS

Emergency medical services

EMT

Emergency medical technician

EMTALA

Emergency Medical Transfer Active Labor Act

ENT

Ear nose and throat

EOB

Explanation of benefits

EOC

Emergency operations center

EOC

Episode of care

EOC

Explanation of coverage

EOI

Expression of Interest

EOMB

Explanation of Medicare Benefits

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

EPI-X

Epidemic information exchange

EPO

Exclusive Provider Organization

EPSDT

Early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment program

EPs

Eligible professionals

ER

Emergency room

ER/ED

Emergency room/emergency department

ERISA

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

eRx

Electronic prescribing

ESF

Emergency support functions

ESF06

Mass care emergency support function

ESF08

Health and medical services support function

F

Fahrenheit

F/C

Fever, chills

FACHE

Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

FAS

Fetal alcohol syndrome

FB

Foreign body

FBS

Fasting blood sugar

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

FEC

Freestanding emergency center

FEF

Forced expiratory flow

FEHBP

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FFS

Fee for service

FFWU

Full fever work-up

FHR

Fetal heart rate

FI

Fiscal intermediary

FL

Femur length

FM

Fetal movement

FMG

Foreign medical graduate

FNA

Fine needle aspiration

FOBT

Fecal occult blood testing

FPL

Federal Poverty Level

FQHC

Federally Qualified Health Center

FRC

Functional residual capacity

FROM

Free range of motion

FSA

Flexible Spending Accounts

FSE

Fetal scalp electrode

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone

FT

Full term

FTC

Federal Trade Commission

FTE

Full-time equivalent

FX

Fracture

FY

Fiscal year

GA

Gestational age

GAF

Geographic adjustment factor

GAO U.S.

General Accountability Office

GB viz.

Gall bladder visualization

GC

Gonococcal, gonorrhea

GH

Growth hormone

GHAA

Group Health Association of America

GHRH

Growth hormone releasing hormone

GI

Gastrointestinal

GLT

Glucose loading test

GME

Graduate medical education

GP

General practitioner

GPCI

Geographic practice cost index

GPRO

Group Practice Reporting Option

GSW

Gunshot wound

GTT

Drop-liquid measurement

GTT

Glucose tolerance test

GU

Genitourinary

H&P

History and physical examination

H/O

History of

H20

Water

HA

Headache

HA

Hemolytic anemia

HAC

Hospital-Acquired Condition

HAI

Hospital-Associated Infection

HAN

Health Alert Network

HANYS

Healthcare Association of New York State

HAV

Hepatitis A virus

HAWK-I

Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa

HAZMAT

Hazardous material

HBV

Hepatitis B virus

HC

Head circumference

HCC

Hierarchical condition categories

HCFAC

Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control

HCPCS

Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System

HCPLAN

Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network

HCV

Hepatitis C virus

HDL

High density lipoprotein

HDV

Hepatitis D virus

HEDIS

Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set

HEICS

Hospital emergency incident command system

HEPA

High-efficiency particulate air

HERT

Hospital emergency response team

HF

Heart Failure

HFMA

Healthcare Financial Management Association

HHA

Home Health Agency

HHR

Health human resources (or health workforce)

HHS

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HHSC

Health and Human Services Commission

HIAA

Health Insurance Association of America

HICPAC

Hospital infection control practices advisory committee

HICS

Hospital incident command system

HIE

Health Information Exchange

HIM

Health information management

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

HIPCs

Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives

HIPPS

Health Insurance Prospective Payment System

HIT

Health Information Technology

HITECH

Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

HLSEM

Homeland security and emergency management

HMO

Health maintenance organization

HOPD

Hospital Outpatient Department

HPA

Hypothalamic suppression test

HPAI

Highly pathogenic avian influenza

HPB

Historic payment basis

HPCI

Health Policy Corporation of Iowa

HPHS

High-performing health system

HPI

History of present illness

HPSA

Health Professional Shortage Area

HQRM

Healthcare quality and resource management

HR

Hour

HR

Heart rate

HRSA

Health Resources and Services Administration

HS

Hour of sleep (bedtime)

HSR

Hospital-specific rate

HTN

Hypertension

Hb

Hemoglobin

Hgb.

Hemoglobin

I&D

Incision and drainage

I&O

Intake and output

IAC

Iowa Administrative Code

IAHSA

Iowa Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease

IBS

Inflammatory bowel syndrome

IBW

Ideal body weight

IC

Incident commander

ICC

Incident command center

ICD

International Classification of Diseases

ICD-10-CM

International classification of diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification

ICF/MR

Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded

ICN

Intermediate care nursery

ICP

Infection control professional

ICP

Intracranial pressure

ICS

Incident command system

ICT

Integrated Care Model/Team

ICU

Intensive care unit

ID

Infectious diseases

IDAC

Infectious disease advisory committee

IDALS

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

IDDM

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

IDIA

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

IDN

Integrated Delivery Network

IDPH

Iowa Department of Public Health

IDS

Integrated delivery system

IFMC

Iowa Foundation for Medical Care

IHA

Iowa Hospital Association

IHC

Iowa Healthcare Collaborative

IHERF

Iowa Hospital Education & Research Foundation

IHHCC

Iowa Hospital Home Care Council

IHI

Institute for Healthcare Improvement

IHO

Iowa Hospice Organization

IHS

Indian Health Services

IISN

Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network

IM

Intramuscular

IME

Indirect Medical Education

IMGMA

Iowa Medical Group Management Association

IMPACT

Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014

IMS

Iowa Medical Society

INA

Iowa Nurses Association

IOASE

In-office ancillary services exception

IOM

Institute of Medicine

IOMA

Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association

IONL

Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders

IP

Intraperitoneal

IP

Inpatient

IPA

Independent Practice Association

IPAB

Independent Payment Advisory Board

IPF

Inpatient psychiatric facility

IPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

IPPS

Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System

IQ

Intelligence quotient

IRB

Institutional review board

IRF

Inpatient rehabilitation facility

ISMP

Institute for Safe Medication Practices

IT

Information technology

ITC

Iowa Trauma Coordinators

IU

International units

IUI

Intrauterine insemination

IUP

Intrauterine pregnancy

IUPC

Intrauterine pressure catheter

IV

Intravenous

IVF

In vitro fertilization

IVIG

Intravenous immune globulin

IVP

Intravenous pyelogram (urogram)

IVP

Intravenous push

In vitro

In the laboratory

In vivo

In the body

JCV

JC virus

JIC

Joint information center

JRA

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

JVD

Jugular venous distension