A hospital-based physician usually trained in internal medicine, who assumes the care of hospitalized patients in the place of primary care physicians.
HOSPITAL COMPARE
A website that provides publicly reported data about the quality and experience of care at over 4000 Medicare-certified hospitals across the country.
HF (HEART FAILURE)
Also known as Congestive Heart Failure, a condition where the heart is inefficient in pumping blood through the body. The heart’s inefficiency causes fluid to build up in the body in areas where it does not belong such as the lungs, legs or abdomen. This is a condition for which the CMS requires monitoring and reporting.
HCAHPS (HOSPITAL CONSUMER ASSESSMENT OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS & SYSTEMS)
The national standard/methodology for collecting and publicly reporting information about the patient’s experience of care (from the patients’ perspectives). It allows for objective/meaningful comparisons of hospitals using patient-focused measures. It also enhances accountability in health care through transparent reporting of results and associated financial incentives.
HBIPS (HOSPITAL-BASED INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES)
Care measures that require monitoring and reporting to the Joint Commission and CMS. The care measures include indicators such as restraint use and continuing care plans at discharge.
HBC (HOSPITAL-BASED CLINIC)
An ambulatory care clinic (i.e.: ‘doctor’s office’) where patients are able to receive outpatient care in a setting that is owned and/or operated by a hospital. Patients are able to receive medical care (both primary and subspecialty care) in an integrated setting within the hospital or in an off-site location.
HARM SCORE
A metric developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to standardize information that is to be collected for all patient safety concerns, including incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions.
HAPU (HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED PRESSURE ULCER)
A pressure ulcer that is acquired during a hospital stay or at a medical facility.
HAPLO (HAPLOIDIDENTIC)
Used in transplantation, a HAPLO transplant is when the donor is only half matched to the patient.
HAI (HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS)
An infection not known to be present at the time of admission to a healthcare setting. The infection may include central line, urinary catheter, or surgical site infections.