Glossary of Healthcare Terms and Codes

Primary Listings

Common Acronyms in Health Care

List of common acronyms in health care. If you have wondered what DRG, ASC, EMR, QIO, ADE, CARF, TJC or a host of other acronyms are in your healthcare management or board work, this list will help. The list is prepared by HANYS, the Healthcare Association of New York State. A pdf guide is available in the publications section of the site (116 pages). It includes detailed descriptions of the terms. Updated September 2021.

Diagnostic Imaging Procedures: x-ray, MRI, CT, PET scans (RadiologyInfo)

Diagnostic imaging procedures and tests are described and explained for x-ray, MRIs, CT, PET scans and more, at RadiologyInfo. Examples include angiograms, colonoscopy and colonography, x-ray guided biopsy, mammography, MRI, CAT scans, head CT, PET scans, ultrasound, bone densitometry, calcium scoring, some cancer treatments and hundreds more. RadiologyInfo™ is the public information Web site of the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). It informs the public about diagnostic radiology and interventional procedures, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.

Glossary – Cancer Terms and Information (UK)

General cancer information and large glossary of terms used with cancer patients, written in easy-to-understand descriptions. Terms are grouped into tests, treatments, cancer drugs, etc. A new section addresses cancer and COVID-19. Cancer Research UK, a leading charity based in London, England, dedicated to cancer research, developed the original award-winning patient information website known as CancerHelp UK

Glossary – Heart Rhythm Disorders

Glossary of terms related to heart rhythm disorders. Includes Atrial fibrillation (A Fib), Ejection fraction, Electrophysiology (EP) test, ACE inhibitors, Beta-blockers, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Dyspnea, ICDs, pacemakers and more. From UpBeat.org, the Heart Rhythm Society’s Patient Resource Center. The Heart Rhythm Society represents physicians and scientists in the field of cardiac arrhythmia. Directory of cardiology subspecialists called electrophysiologists can be found under Find a Specialist.

Glossary – Lab Tests Online – testing.com

Use this Glossary from testing.com (formerly Lab Tests Online) to find out lab tests mean. Or use the Top Tests drop-down tab to find definitions of common lab tests like CBC, lipid profile, blood tests like hemoglobin, etc. Tons of information. Adheres to HONcode

Glossary – Labor and Birth Terms

Glossary of labor and birth terms. Short descriptions of terminology related to pregnant women going into labor and giving birth – including amniotic fluid, APGAR, breech, epidural, fetal distress, placenta previa, post partum to name a few. By the American Pregnancy Association.

Glossary – Organ Donation and Transplants

Glossary of terms used in organ donation and transplants. Definitions are from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). It explains terms such as Acute or Chronic Rejection, Allocation Policies, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), Graft Survival, histocompatibility and more.

Glossary – Orthopedic Terms and Definitions

Find definitions of orthopedic terms like arthroscopy and arthroplasty. Large number of resources with definitions and articles, by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Parts of the body and common problems like fractures or bunions are described (use search function). Orthoinfo

Medical Terms – What did my doctor say? (MLA)

Medical Terms – What did my doctor say? is explained by the Medical Library Association (MLA).  This site explains and defines common healthcare terms, so you can better understand your doctors and staff. From words ending in “ectomy” to Zygote, many medical terms are defined here. Includes definition of RSV.

Sentinel Event Definitions Editor's Pick

Find the definition of a sentinel event. The Joint Commission (which accredits healthcare organizations, formerly JCAHO) defines Sentinel Events for hospitals, ambulatory clinics, surgery centers, nursing homes, home care, assisted living, behavioral health facilities and other health care settings. Sentinel events reach patients and result in Death, Permanent harm, or Severe temporary harm and intervention required to sustain life.  They require immediate investigation. The hospital definition was updated 2022.

CPT Codes for Outpatient Surgical Procedures (pdf)

Find a list CPT Codes for outpatient surgical procedures, cross-referenced with ICD-9 codes. Includes selected procedure codes for outpatient colonoscopy, laparoscopy & laparoscopic surgery including hysteroscopy and cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), breast biopsy & surgery such as reconstruction, hernia repair, liposuction, facial surgery such as blepharoplasty, and knee arthroscopy. Published June 2006 by Virginia Health Information (vhi.org). Confirm with your provider or insurance company, since this list is old.

Other Helpful Listings

Dermatology A to Z Glossary (AAD)

Dermatology A to Z is a glossary of terms related to skin conditions, dermatologic procedures and other topics in the field of dermatology. From acne to skin cancers to warts, it’s all here. Published by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Includes videos on special topics. For the public.

Drug Guide, including Slang Terms

The Drug Guide includes slang terms, and is a comprehensive and up-to-date source of substance-specific information. If you ever wondered what (illegal) street drugs were called, or what prescription drugs might be referred to when misused, this site by The Partnership to End Addiction will give it to you straight for 25 common drugs. Includes pictures of the pills

Sourcebook: Essentials of Health Policy – for journalists

Sourcebook for journalists outlines essentials of health policy. The large document from the nonprofit Alliance for Health Policy provides baseline information on a wide variety of healthcare issues, including long term care, mental health. Glossary included. Originally written with reporters and journalists in mind; updated 2017.