Author: Glossary

An organization of professional hematologists that provides care to patients with diseases of the blood and promotes education, research, and training within the field. ASH also serves as an advocacy group for the profession.  

A nonprofit organization composed of scientists and educators who seek to advance the sciences of biochemistry and molecular biology.  

A not-for-profit professional organization of physicians who treat cancer. The group includes medical, radiological, and surgical oncologists.  

A nonverbal method of communicating by deaf or speech-impaired people in which the hands and fingers are used to indicate words and concepts.  

A branch of the international philanthropic organization Red Cross Society. It provides emergency aid during civil disasters such as floods and earthquakes, offers humanitarian services for armed forces personnel and their families, and operates centers for collecting and processing blood and blood products.  

An organization that provides leadership to advance psychiatric-mental health nursing practice; improve mental health care for individuals, families, groups, and communities; and shape health policy for the delivery of mental health services.  

The national professional association that establishes and promotes standards of practice for physical therapists.  

A national professional organization concerned with establishing and promoting education, research, and standards of practice for occupational therapy.  

A wide-area computer network linking the 53 constituent State Nurses Associations with the national headquarters. It provides databases pert, to workplace and practice issues and various databases and services related to nursing practice. Future plans include subscriber service for all nurses, nursing organizations, and nursing schools.  

A professional organization of individuals trained in health information management, including patient records, particularly in medical care facilities.