Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Task force

    A group of persons established to carry out a specific task. Its assignment is usually fact-finding or advisory. A time limit is typically given by the appointing authority for completion of the task, and upon its completion the task force is automatically disbanded. A task force is not to be confused with a committee, which…

  • Tailgate pricing

    A pejorative term used to describe pricing which the commentator feels simply responds to the demand of the market (competition) at the moment, that is, pricing which is not based on costs or a consistent pricing policy.  

  • Tactics

    A term derived from the military usage concerning actions which, while directed toward the large goal, are smaller in scale or scope than strategic actions. Tactics are those actions through which a “strategy” is carried out. Strategy is long-range, and lays out the nature and sequence of the steps to be taken to achieve the…

  • Systems review

    The traditional method of organizing the medical record under headings such as “respiratory,” “past illnesses,” or “cardiac.” A newer method, the problem oriented medical record (POMR), instead traces each of the patient’s problems separately. A series of questions concerning each organ system and region of the body, asked of the patient during history taking and…

  • Systems analysis

    An analysis of the resources (personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, funds, and other elements), organization, administration, procedures, and policies needed to carry out a given task. The analysis typically addresses alternatives in each category, and their relative efficiency and effectiveness.  

  • Symptom complex

    A group of symptoms which occur together, and which may or may not be characteristic of a specific disease.  

  • Substance abuse facility

    A hospital or other facility specializing in the treatment of patients suffering from alcoholism or chemical dependency.  

  • Subacute care

    A transitional level of care between acute care and traditional skilled nursing or home care. In some states, subacute care is provided in skilled nursing facility beds.  

  • Structured query language

    A computer language for database management, usually pronounced as “sequel” or “S.Q.L”. It is probably the most commonly used data management language in the mid 1990’s, largely due to its maturity and standardization across varying computer platforms, from microcomputers to mainframes. The language itself, such as “SELECT last-name FROM providers WHERE specialty = ‘Surgery’”, is…

  • Strategy

    A term derived from the military, and which concerns the long-range, large goals of the organization. In traditional thinking, strategy should precede the development of the tactics with which it is implemented. A current insight is that a successful strategy can only be developed after the available tactics are assessed and used to their maximum.…