An acronym originally developed to notify Emergency Medical Personnel and other clinical providers about end-of-life directives such as CPR, tube feeding, and antibiotics. It is widely used in Skilled Nursing Facilities.
PN (PNEUMONIA)
An inflammatory condition of the lungs that may be caused by viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, or autoimmune diseases. It is usually accompanied by fever, an elevated white blood cell count and abnormalities on chest imaging. Distinctions are made between hospital acquired, ventilator-associated (VAP) and community-acquired (CAP) pneumonia. Pneumonia is a care measure that is monitored and reported to CMS.
PHC4 (PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COUNCIL)
An independent state agency which provides a resource of comparative information about the efficiency and effectiveness of health care provided to individual consumers and group purchasers of health services in the State of Pennsylvania.
PFCC (PATIENT AND FAMILY-CENTERED CARE)
The methodology used to transform the patient experience by viewing care through the eyes of patients and families. PFCC promotes the use of a six-step improvement process (including in-depth shadowing) in order to evaluate, co-design and transform care in partnership with patients and families.
PCT/APCT/NA (PATIENT CARE TECHNICIANS/ADVANCED PATIENT CARE TECHNICIANS/NURSING ASSISTANTS)
A care provider who performs specified tasks under the supervision of an RN. Examples of the responsibilities may include baths, vital signs, feeding patients, blood draws, etc.
PE (PULMONARY EMBOLISM)
A blockage of the lung’s main artery or one of its branches by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). PE results from a deep vein thrombosis (commonly a blood clot in a leg) that breaks off and migrates to the lung, a process termed venous thromboembolism (VTE).
% TOP BOX (PERCENT TOP BOX)
The number of survey respondents who have rated you with the most favorable response, such as “always” or “yes, definitely.” The patient satisfaction surveys (HCAHPS & CGAHPS) use Top Box for public reporting.
PDSA (PLAN-DO-STUDY-ACT IMPROVEMENT CYCLE)
A tool used for improving processes and may be used with other tools and methods. It provides a process to follow for small improvement projects.
PCP (PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN)
The physician responsible for coordinating patient care.
PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE
Payment is provided based on how well a provider or organization performs on established standardized measures. These types of programs are used in health care by insurance providers including the government’s Medicare and Medicaid programs who adjust hospital payment strategies based on an organization’s ability to meet or exceed specific targets (see Value Based Purchasing as an Example).