ACOS

Associate Chief of Staff

Admin Coordinator

The administrative coordinator for Primary Care and Non-Primary Care Teams. This person is involved with administrative (MAS requirements and/or Clinic Administration) duties as well as oversight of the Scheduling process and Primary Care team definition.

Associate Provider

An Associate Provider is authorized to provide primary care, but cannot act as a Primary Care Provider. In PCMM, a Resident is designated as an Associate Provider. A Nurse Practitioner and/or Physician Assistant may be designated as an Associate Provider also. Per VHA Directive every patient is to be assigned to a Primary Care Provider, who is responsible for coordinating a patient’s overall care. Thus, the Associate Provider on a Primary Care Team must be assigned to a preceptor who can be a Primary Care Provider (must have a Primary Care Provider preceptor assigned to them).

Austin Automation Center

The central repository for National Care Patient Care Database.

Auto Team Enrollment/Discharge

This is an option when setting up Teams that will automatically enroll a patient to a TEAM when the patient is enrolled in a clinic that is associated with that team. You can also discharge from a TEAM (if not assigned to a position in a team) when the patient is discharged from a clinic associated with that team.

Button Bar

A Button Bar is also referred to as a Tool Bar - small boxes that contain graphic figures that represent various functions.

Calendar Display

Within PCMM, when there is a date field, the user can “double click” the field and a miniature calendar will ‘pop up’ for selection of a date and year. This is used for Activation and Deactivation dates as well as Discharge dates.

Clerk

This person is a clerk who performs data entry.

Clinical Pharmacist

Performs patient care duties related to patient medications as assigned or granted by the appropriate governing committee at the facility. These privileges may include and may or may not be limited to:  (1) Initiation of renewal orders for chronic maintenance medications  (2) Initiation of orders for laboratory tests necessary to monitor existing drug therapy.

Clinical Service

A Service defined at the medical center, e.g. Medicine, Surgery, Intermediate Medicine, etc.

Closing

Another term for ‘inactivating’ a position or team.

Consults

When a patient is referred to a clinic on a one-time basis, he/she is not normally enrolled in that clinic.

Context Bar

The dark blue banner at the bottom of the Banner that shows the user’s duty station, user name, and log out link. There are also buttons of the applications that the user has permissions to use. If the user is an administrator, they can sign on with no duty station specified (as in the example above) until they begin to perform the functions they have authorization to do.

Database

: This refers to the information that is stored in your medical center’s computer program, e.g., patient information, service information, clinic information, etc.

Dialogue Box

A dialogue box is a box or window that is placed within a screen that allows the user to enter a ‘free text’ message or description of the object being created (in some cases, the description of what a team is supposed to represent).

Dietitian

Performs patient care duties related to nutrition and weight management.

Display Box

This is a window that displays information or lists available clinics, positions or teams to choose from. The user may select an item from the list displayed.

Double Arrow

Double arrows are two arrows next to each other indicating that more than one patient name may be moved over from an inactive status to an active status and back to an inactive status. (>>)

Drop-Down List

status. (>>)  Drop-Down List; When a user selects an item from the menu bar, a list is displayed in a vertical format. For example, if a user selects File, a list drops down showing all options that are available under the main heading File: File, Edit, Print, Save.

Duty Station

A location where a person is based (typically, it is where a person receives a paycheck). It may be a place where health care is not provided, such as a national cemetery or an office building.

E-Mail Messages

These are the messages that are generated by a software event that delivers information to designated users via MailMan. E-mail messages in the PCMM module would include information about death notifications, inpatient movements, consult notifications, and team notifications or changes.

Footer

The Footer is displayed at the bottom of every window. It displays the version of the application, the copyright date, and a link to contact the application owners.

Functional Station

A location where health care is provided (a treating facility), such as a VA Hospital/Medical Center or clinic.

History File

Although not specific to any one document, a history file is a compilation of various pieces of information pertaining to individual teams, positions, etc. for future reference and clarification.

Intern (Physician)

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Medical Center Policy and is supervised by a Preceptor who can act as a Primary Care Practitioner. Duties include, but may not be limited to, (1) completing history & physical examinations, (2) obtaining blood and other specimens, and (3) provision of patient medical care as permitted. Cannot act as Primary Care Provider. The Intern is an Associate Provider within a Primary Care Team (see Associate Provider Term).

IPT

Integrated Project Team

IRM

Information Resource Management

MAS ADPAC

Medical Administration Service Automated Data Processing Applications Coordinator

Medical Student

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Medical Center Policy and is supervised by a Preceptor who can act as a Primary Care Practitioner.

Menu

The list of items on the left side of the window. The Menu displays the actions that are available to you, based on your role.

NPCD

National Patient Care Database - is maintained in Austin and receives selected demographic and encounter-based clinical, diagnostic data form VA medical centers. This data enables a detailed analysis of VHA inpatient and outpatient health care activity.

NSR

New Service Request

Nurse (LPN)

Provides a variety of nursing services that do not require full professional nurse education, but are represented by the licensing of practical and vocational nurses by a State, Territory or the District of Columbia. Persons in these positions may also provide administrative assistance, such as making appointments, etc.

Nurse (RN)

Provides care to patients in clinics and other settings, administers anesthetic agents and supportive treatments to patients undergoing outpatient surgery and other medical treatments, promotes better health practices, and consults or advises nurses providing direct care to patients. Persons in this position require a professional knowledge and education in the field of nursing.

Nurse Practitioner

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Scope of Practice under the supervision of a designated physician or physicians and Medical Center Policy. Duties include, but are not limited to, appropriate assessments, orders diagnostic tests and consultations as necessary, prescribes treatment interventions in accordance with established protocols, provides or arranges follow-up care, and provides health teaching and supportive counseling. Is authorized to act as a Primary Care Provider or Associate Provider. The ability to act as a Primary Care Provider is decided by individual facilities.

OHI

Office of Health Informatics

OIF/OEF

Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation Enduring Freedom.

OMB

Office of Management and Budget

Other

A general classification for those team members who do not belong in any of the listed Standard Position entries.

PACT

Patient Aligned Centered Team

Panel

A panel is a group of individual patients for which the Primary Care Provider has accepted primary care responsibility.

Patient Panel

Group of individual patients assigned to Team/Position/

Patient Services Assistant

Provides clerical and patient processing support to outpatient clinics, or other unit of a medical facility, in support of the care and treatment given to patients. This includes duties as receptionist, record-keeping duties, clerical duties related to patient care, and miscellaneous support to the medical staff of the unit.

Patient-Centered Management Module (PCMM)

Patient-Centered Management Module is the application for VA facilities to use for implementing primary care teams. Teams are created, positions associated with the teams are created, staff members are assigned to positions, and patients are assigned to the teams and positions.

PC Coordinator

Primary Care Coordinator

PCMM

Patient-Centered Management Module

Person Class File

Consists of provider taxonomy developed by Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA). The taxonomy codifies provider type and provider area of specialization for all medical related providers.

Physician Assistant

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Scope of Practice under the supervision of a designated physician or physicians and Medical Center Policy. Duties include, but are not limited to, diagnostic and therapeutic medical care and services, taking case histories, conducting physical examinations, and ordering lab and other studies. Physician Assistants also may carry out special procedures, such as giving injections or other medication, apply or change dressings, or suturing minor lacerations. The ability to act as a Primary Care Practitioner is decided by individual facilities.

Physician-Primary Care

As a physician, incumbent's duties are to advise on, administer, supervise or perform professional and scientific work in one or more fields of medicine. The degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy is a fundamental requirement, along with a current license to practice medicine and surgery in a US State, territory or the District of Columbia. As a Primary Care practitioner, the incumbent provides the first point of assistance for a patient seeking care. Primary Care duties include: (1) Intake and initial needs assessment, (2) Health promotion and disease prevention, (3) Management of acute and chronic biopsychosocial conditions, (4) Access to other components of health care, (5) Continuity, and (6) Patient and non-professional care giver education & training. (from IL 10-93-031, Under Secretary for Health's Letter) Can act as Primary Care Practitioner.

Physician-Psychiatrist

As a physician, incumbent's duties are to advise on, administer, supervise or perform professional and scientific work in one or more fields of medicine. The degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy is a fundamental requirement, along with a current license to practice medicine and surgery in a US State, territory or the District of Columbia. The incumbent is also granted clinical privileges (by the appropriate governing Credentials committee) in regard to the practice of Psychiatry.

Physician-Subspecialty

As a physician, incumbent's duties are to advise on, administer, supervise or perform professional and scientific work in one or more fields of medicine. The degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy is a fundamental requirement, along with a current license to practice medicine and surgery in a US State, territory or the District of Columbia. The incumbent is also granted clinical privileges (by the appropriate governing Credentials committee) concerning the practice of Specialty or Subspecialty care in the areas of Medicine or Surgery.

Position

Teams are comprised of one or more staff positions. Individual practitioners are assigned to a team position. A position is designated to serve certain roles in the overall primary care setting.

Practitioner

Can be either Primary Care or Non Primary Care patients; e.g., the Practitioner’s Patients Report includes both Primary Care and Non Primary Care patients assigned to the practitioner in the Patient Panel Count.

Preceptor

Responsible for providing the overall care for patients assigned to an Associate Provider or Medical Student. On Primary Care Teams, the Preceptor must be able to provide Primary Care.

Primary Care

: Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians that are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs.

Primary Care Provider

: In PCMM, the Primary Care Provider is the position determined to be responsible for the coordination of the patient’s primary care.

Psychologist

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Clinical Privileges as assigned or granted by the appropriate governing committee in the area of Psychology and Mental Health. This may include individual, family and group counseling and psychotherapy, assertiveness and other behavior training, etc.

RAEM

Requirements Analysis and Engineering Management

Rehab/Psych Technician

Provides patient care in accordance with Clinical Privileges as assigned or granted by the appropriate governing committee in the area of Psychology and Mental Health. This may include individual, family or group counseling. A degreed Psychologist or Mental health practitioner typically supervises the incumbent.

Remedy Ticket

A support request that is sent to the VA Service Desk.

Resident (Physician)

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Medical Center Policy and is supervised by a Preceptor who can act as a Primary Care Practitioner. Duties include, but may not be limited to, completing history and physical examinations, obtaining blood and other specimens, and provision of patient medical care as permitted. The resident is an Associate Provider within a Primary Care Team. As a Resident, the incumbent is responsible for providing patient care as directed by the Preceptor. Cannot act as Primary Care Provider.

Role

A function or task of a staff member involved with the implementation, maintenance and continued success of primary care.

Section 508 Compliance

Applications that are Section 508 compliant can be used with assistive technology software.

Social Worker

Performs patient care duties in accordance with Clinical Privileges as assigned or granted by the appropriate governing committee in the area of Social Work. Provides direct services to individuals, groups and families with counseling, discharge planning, crisis intervention, etc.

Specialty Clinics

A set of clinics that are defined as SUBSETS of generalized Service clinics such as Cardiology (specialty of Medicine); Orthopedics (specialty of Surgery), etc.

Team

Teams are groups of staff members organized for a certain purpose (e.g., Primary Care).

Team Pharmacist

A pharmacist who: (1) Is authorized to Fill/Dispense medications (2) Enter/Verify medication orders (3) Provide patient education relating to medications (4) Renew established medications under the protocols defined by the medical center.

Team Profile

This is a screen within PCMM that shows the various characteristics of a particular team, e.g., number of patients allowed for enrollment, name, positions assigned, etc.

Text Box

The text box is also known as the DIALOGUE box as described above. It provides the user with an area in which to identify certain characteristics of a particular component of PCMM. For example, the description of what a team is for (provides primary care to patients that have been discharged from the hospital within the last 6 months).

Title Bar

Title bar is the bar that shows the TITLE of the screen that the user is presently accessing. For instance, the TITLE BAR on the Team Set-Up screen could be ‘Team Profile’.

Tool Bar

The Tool Bar is what is displayed either at the top of the screen or at the button, and contains a picture of all of the available ICONS that may be chose to perform certain tasks. Unlike the MENU BAR, the menu bar contains the ‘words’ for functions, whereas the TOOL BAR contains the ‘pictures’ that represent functions.

Tool Buttons

: A tool button is ONE of the icons that is shown across the top (or bottom) of a screen on the TOOL BAR.

TPA

Transition Patient Advocates assist in tracking the treatment of seriously ill veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Uniques

Uniques for the purpose of PCMM Primary Care are defined as the individual veteran (patient) enrolled in VA health care that makes up the primary care provider’s panel.

User Class

User Class is a file that will be transported with the Primary Care Management Module that stores the users (physicians, social workers, staff clerks, etc.) actual position titles as defined by the site.

User Profile

: A user profile is called My Profile and is accessed from the left menu bar. It contains user information such as the user’s role.

VHA

Veteran's Health Administration

VISN

Veterans Integrated Service Network

VistA

Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture, formerly known as Decentralized Hospital Computer Program, encompasses the complete information environment at VA medical facilities.

VSS

Voluntary Service System