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Isle of Man Government
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D.H.S.S.

Department of Health and Social Security
Rheynn Slaynt as Shickyrys Y Theay
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DHSS JARGON BUSTER

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Symbols

As part of our commitment to excellent customer services, we do our best to always communicate in plain English. However at times it is difficult not to use professional jargon or the acronyms that have become a habit to us but are a mystery to you. That is why we have developed this Jargon Buster to help you understand those unavoidable words and abbreviations and give you the confidence in our service that comes with understanding.

Simply select the first letter of the word, phrase, term or abbreviation from the links above to view an explanation.

If you have come across any jargon that you don’t understand and it is not featured in this list, send an email by clicking this link, stating the word, phrase, term or abbreviation and we will get back to you as soon as possible as well as updating the list.

A

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
  
A & E Accident and Emergency Department
A ‘Drip’ Is how fluids are administered into a vein for such purposes as hydrating the body, correcting electrolyte imbalance, or introducing nutrients
AAAchievement Age
AAAlcoholics Annonymous
AA Attendance Allowance
AAAAbdominal Aortic Aneurism
ABGArterial Blood Gas
A&E Accident and Emergency Department
ACTActivated Clotting Time
ADA Adoption Allowance
AED Automated External Defibrillator
AF Atrial Fibrillation
AHP Allied Health Professional
AK Above knee
APDAutomatic Peritoneal Dialysis
ATC Assessment and Therapy Centre ATC (at RDCH) - Assessment and Therapy Centre
Admission A term used when a patient comes into the hospital.
Advocacy A range of support available to patients and users of services to enable them to have access to a volunteer, or other designated person who will speak for them and ensure that their interests are represented.
Acute services Medical and surgical treatment provided mainly in hospitals.
Agenda for Change Agenda for change is the brand new pay system for the NHS. It is part of a harmonised package of terms and conditions which applies to all directly employed NHS staff, except doctors, dentists and the most senior management posts at or just below board level.
Allied Health Professionals The Allied Health Professions include professionals such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiary(chiropody), dietetics, speech and language therapy and healthcare assistants. AHPs used to be known as Professionals Allied to Medicine (PAMs).
Ambulatory careServices where people do not stay in hospital overnight. E.g. x-ray, day surgery
ARDSAdult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ARFAcute Renal Failure
Assessment Considering the circumstances of an individual, family, group or community when looking at a future plan of action.

B

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
BA Bereavement Allowance
BB Blanket Bed (at RDCH) - Accommodates ward day patients, and those people who have attended the adjacent Minor Illness and Injury Unit but require further intervention and/or assessment for a few hours before leaving hospital
BID Twice Daily (bis in die)
BiPAPBilevel Positive Airway Pressure
BK Below knee
BL Budgeting Loans
BLS Basic Life Support
BMA British Medical Association
BMS Biomedical Scientist
BMI Body Mass Index
BMJ British Medical Journal
BNFBritish National Formulary - A joint publication of the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. “BNF” aims to provide prescribers, pharmacists and other health care professionals with sound up-to-date information about the use of medicines.
BP Bereavement Payment, Blood Pressure
Beds The number of beds in a ward or department which refers to staffed beds used overnight.
Benchmarking A method used by public sector organisations, charities and private companies for gauging their performance by comparing it to that of other organisations, typically of a similar size.

C

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
C&S Culture and sensitivity
CA Carer’s Allowance
CAPDContinuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
C/Spine Cervical spine
CCF Congestive cardiac failure
CCU Coronary Care Unit
CD Controlled Drugs
CHB Child Benefit
CMVContinuous Mandatory Ventilation
CNACannot attend - (used to indicate the cancellation of a Hospital appointment following contact by the patient)
CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CoSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
CPAPContinuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPN Community Psychiatric Nurse
CPD Continuing Professional Development
CPR Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
CRFChronic Renal Failure
CSU Catheter Specimen of Urine
CT Computerised Tomography Care Programme Approach (CPA) - Co-ordinated care for people who use specialist mental health services
CTG Cardiotocography An electronic system that monitors foetal heart rate during labour.
CT SCANNER Computed Tomography Scanner A scanner that produces detailed cross-section images of the body that cannot be provided using conventional X-Rays
CXR Chest X-ray
Caldicott Standards These are a set of standards that regulate the use of patient information throughout the NHS.
Carer A person who provides personal care on a regular basis to another person who is e.g. frail, disabled or has a mental health problem. Co-ordinated care for people who use specialist mental health services. The definition used by social services is: a person who provides a substantial amount of care on a regular basis, and who is not employed to do so by an agency or organisation. A carer is usually a friend or relative looking after someone who is frail or ill at home.
Clinical Audit A quality assurance programme which involves defining the expected level of quality in a specific area of care, measuring and comparing actual practice against the expected level, and taking action to improve any deficiencies identified
Clinical Governance Can be defined as a framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish
Clinical team A clinical team may comprise of doctors, nurses and other health staff who provide services of a particular type, eg audiology.
Clinician/clinical staff A health professional who is directly involved in the care and treatment of patients, for example, nurses, doctors, therapists.
Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) An independent body that inspects hospitals to make sure Government standards are met.
Commissioning A process of identifying a community’s social/and or health care needs and finding services to meet them.
Community care Care for people with learning disabilities or a mental illness, which is provided outside a hospital setting.
Community Hospital A Community Hospital supports the District General Hospital, by offering integrated health and social care designed to meet the needs of the local population.
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) A team of health and social service professionals who work together to provide services to those with a mental illness.
Co-morbidity A term used to signify multiple illnesses.
Coronary Care Unit (CCU) A dedicated unit for specialist coronary care.
Corporate governance A framework through which organisations are accountable for standards in conducting corporate business, including meeting statutory financial duties.
CVVHContinuous Veno Venous Haemofiltration

D

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
DATU Day Assessment and Treatment Unit
DC Day Case
DICDisseminated Intravascular Coagulation
DIPJ Distal interphalangeal joint
DKADiabetic Ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes)
DLA Disability Living Allowance
DN District Nurse
DNADid not attend - patient failed to attend for an arranged Hospital appointment
DOA Dead on arrival
DOB Date of Birth
DPDental Practitioner
DPM (at RDCH) Discharge Planning Meeting
Dr Doctor (must include name)
Day case admission Patients are admitted for care or treatment which can be completed in a few hours and does not require an overnight bed site
Demographic Trends Changes in age, sex and size of the population over time.
DHSS - Department of Health and Social Security The Government department responsible for delivering health and social care service and providing social security in the Isle of Man.
Diagnostic Test Tests which help determine the nature of a disorder or illness, for example x-rays, laboratory tests etc.
DWA Disability Working Allowance

E

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
EDAExpected Date of Arrival
ECG Electrocardiograph
ECTElectro Convulsive Therapy
EEG Electroencephalogram
EHR Electronic Health Record
ENG Exceptional Needs Grants
ENT Ear, Nose, Throat
ESRFEnd Stage Renal Failure
ET Endotracheal Tube
ETAExpected Time of Arrival
Elective admission A patient admitted from the waiting list
Electronic Booking A new system under development that will allow patients to make appointments directly and be able to obtain information on waiting times.
Emergency admission A patient admitted to hospital at short notice because of clinical need or because alternative care is not available.
Essence of Care This is an initiative aimed at improving patient experience by identifying best practice in areas such as nutrition and privacy and dignity.
European Computer Driving Licence – ECDL The ECDL is a European standard of competence certifying that the holder has the basic knowledge and skills needed to use the most common computer applications efficiently and productively.

F

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
FAST Fast Alcohol Screening Test
FESSFunctional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
FFPFresh Frozen Plasma
FIS Family Income Supplement
FP Funeral Payment
FWB Full weight bearing
Family Health Service Services provided in the community through GP, pharmacists, dentists, and opticians
Freedom of Information (FOI) Under the Freedom of Information Act, the PCT has a legal duty to create and maintain a publication scheme. The purpose of this Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities.
F/UFollow up hospital appointment

G

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
GA General Anaesthetic
GA Guardian’s Allowance
GDPGeneral Dental Practitioner
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
GMC General Medical Council
GTN Glyceryl Trinitrate
General Practitioners (GPs) Doctors who provide family health services to the local community. They are usually the first port of call for most patients with a concern about their health.

H

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
HAP Healthcare Accreditation Programme (has only been carried out at RDCH)
HAZ Health Action Zone
HCA Health Care Assistant
HDHaemodialysis
HDU High Dependency Unit
HELLPHaemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets
HII Head injury instructions
HMT - Hospital Management TeamThe HMT at RDCH comprises five senior managers, employed at the hospital, who meet regularly to make decisions about budgetary expenditure, day-to-day running of the hospital, and new developments and initiatives.
HNSHead and Neck Surgery
HRP Home Responsibilities Protection
HSD Health Services Division
HSE Health and Safety Executive
H&SHealth and Safety
HV Health Visitor
Healthcare Commission An independent Government body that carries out reviews of NHS organisations and publishes reports about the quality of health services throughout England and Wales
Health Promotion Actions and information which helps individuals or communities to improve their health
Holistic approach Describing an approach to patient care in which the physical, mental and social factors in the patient's condition are taken into account, rather than just the diagnosed disease. The term is applied to a range of orthodox and alternative methods of treatment.
Hospital at Home Provides care in the patients home which otherwise would have been provided in hospital

I

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
ICU Intensive Care Unit.
IB Incapacity Benefit. A social security benefit available to those who are unfit for work
ID Short for “identity” and often refers to evidence of a person’s identity, such as their passport or driving licence IIDB - Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
IIP Investors in People A national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people. IIP was established in 1993 to provide national ownership of the Investors in People National Standard and is responsible for its promotion, quality assurance and development.
ILSImmediate life support
IM Intramuscular
IP|In patient (as opposed to an out patient)
IPPVIntermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation
IS - Income Support. An income-related social security benefit for those who are unemployed or are working less than 16 hours a week
ITU Intensive Treatment/Care Unit
IV Intravenous
IVI Intravenous Infusion
IVUIntravenous Urogram, an X ray of the kidneys and bladder
In-patient A person who is admitted to hospital as a day case or for a longer period of time
Integrated care pathway The patient’s route for treatment through different health and social care system that combine resources and co-ordinated working methods.
Intermediate care Typically community based alternatives to traditional hospital care

J

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
JSA - Jobseeker’s Allowance A social security benefit available to the unemployed

K

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
KO’d Knocked out

L

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
LLeft ( L foot, L arm, L leg etc)
LA Local Anaesthetic
LEL Lower Earnings Limit
LMA Laryngeal Mask
LOC Loss Of Consciousness
LVF Left Ventricular Failure
Length of stay The time from admission to discharge, based on the number of nights in hospital.
Looked after children (children looked after) This term refers to children who are either in care (subject to a care order) or accommodated by a local authority.

M

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
MA Maternity Allowance
ManeMorning
MAPMean Arterial Pressure
MAU Medical Assessment Unit
MCPJ Metacarpophalangeal joint
MIU Minor Injury Unit MIU (at RDCH) - Minor Illness and Injuries Unit
MOPSMinor operations ( a theatre department at RDCH)
MOS Minor Oral Surgery
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MSU Midstream Specimen of Urine
MUST Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool
Mammography A special X-Ray examination of breast tissue used in the early detection of breast cancer.
Medical Advice Improvements which allow the medical profession to treat an increasing range of conditions or treat existing conditions in a better way.
Med cert Short for medical certificate. Issued by a GP or hospital doctor as evidence of a person’s incapacity for social security purposes
MRI Scanner - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner A scanner that produces images of parts of the body by the use of strong magnetic field and electromagnetic waves.
Multi-agency Services or activities which involve staff from a range of organisations
Multi Disciplinary Team MDT This is a team of professionals drawn from various disciplines within the Trust that combine their expertise to the benefit of patients.

N

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
NAD Nothing abnormal detected
NAI Non-accidental injury
NBI No bony injury
NBM Nil by mouth
NFANo further appointment
NG Naso Gastric
NI National Insurance
NICs National Insurance Contributions
NINO National Insurance Number
NIVNon Invasive Ventilation
NKA No known allergies
NMC - Nursing and Midwifery Council. The NMC is an organisation set up by Parliament to protect the public by ensuring that nurses and midwives provide high standards of care to their patients and clients.
NOCTE Night Neurological observations
NOK Next of Kin
NP Nurse Practitioner
NP - Nurse PractitionerNurse Practitioners at RDCH work in the MIU and WMC, and are skilled in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients attending their departments. They are guided and supported by protocols which are regularly updated.
NP Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Bank The Nurse Bank at RDCH refers to a number of Registered Nurses and Health Care Assistants available to work at the hospital on an ad hoc basis, covering the absence of contracted staff.
NWB Non weight bearing
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) A special health authority that promotes best possible service and effective use of resources in the NHS. Sets standards to improve quality and consistency of NHS services.
National Service Framework (NSF) A set of national standards and defined service model for different services or care groups.
NBTS National Blood Transfusion Service

O

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
O/E On examination
O2 Oxygen
Obs. Observations
ODP Operating Department Practitioner
OHD Occupational Health Department
OPOutpatient (as opposed to in patient)
OPAS Older Persons Assessment Service
OPD Out Patients Department
OT Occupational Therapy/Therapist
Ordinary admission The patient is expected to remain in hospital for at least one night

P

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
PA Paternity Allowance
PAC Pre operative Assessment Clinic. A clinic where patients are assessed prior to admission for surgery
PCAS Patient Controlled Analgesia System
PDPeritoneal Dialysis
PEPulmonary Embolism
PEA Pulseless electrical activity
PEEPPositive End Expiratory Pressure
PERL Pupils equal and reacting to light
PGDPatient Group Direction
PHYSIO Physiotherapy
PIPJ Proximal interphalangeal joint
POM Prescription only medicine.
POP Plaster of Paris cast
PPHPrimary Pulmonary Hypertension (in Thoracic Medicine)
PPHPost Partum Haemorrhage (in Midwifery)
PR Per Rectum
PRN When necessary (pro re nata)
PSAProstate Specific Antigen, a blood test to check the health of the prostate gland
PTS Patient Transport Services transport patients with non-urgent conditions to and from hospitals and day care centres, and carries out non-urgent inter-hospital transfers.
PV Per vagina
PWB Partial weight bearing
Px - Prescription Paediatrics Area of medicine concerned with children's illness and their treatments.
Personal Social Services (PSS) Personal care services for vulnerable people who may be in need of care and protection.
Palliative care The care of patients whose disease is no longer curable, eg cancer, HIV/Aids, and motor-neurone disease. It takes into account the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of care of patients, with the aim of providing the best quality of life for them.
Primary Healthcare General healthcare services provided by GP's, Ambulance their staff and social care services.
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) Bring together GP practices and other professional interests in a geographical area. They have a key role in commissioning services.
Primary Health Care Team Professional staff working in or attached to general practices to provide a range of health care needs. Includes GPs and community nursing staff.

Q

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
QDOnce a Day (quaue die)
QDS Four Times Daily (quater in die)
Quality Assurance All actions taken to ensure that standards and procedures are adhered to, and that delivered products or services meet performance requirements.

R

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
RRight (R eye, R ear etc)
R/V - Review Respite Care Is used for patients who are normally cared for at home but require planned short term admission, to give temporary relief to their families
RDCHRamsey and District Cottage Hospital
RICE Rest, ice, compression, elevation
Risk Assessment A careful examination of what could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm, thereby aiming to make sure no one gets hurt or becomes ill.
Risk-management A systematic approach to reducing loss of life, financial loss, loss of staff availability, safety, or loss or reputation.
RM Registered Midwife
RMN Registered Mental Health Nurse
RN Registered Nurse
ROM Range of movement
ROS Removal of sutures
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) The RCN represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice, and shapes health policies.
RP Retirement Pension
RPP Retirement Pension Premium
RRTRenal Replacement Therapy
RSCN Registered Sick Children Nurse
RTA Road Traffic Accident
Registrar A qualified and experienced doctor who is training to become a specialist or consultant.

S

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
SAHSub-arachnoid Haemorrhage
S/B Seen by
S/C Subcutaneous
SALT Speech and Language Therapist
SaO2 Oxygen saturation
SDA Severe Disablement Allowance
SHCA Senior Health Care Assistant
SHO Senior House Officer - A qualified doctor who is in the earlier stages of their career
SITSpecific Immunotherapy
SMO Senior Medical Officer
SLR Straight leg raise
SPTSkin Prick Test
STAT Immediately
STI Soft tissue injury
SVT Supra ventricular tachycardia
Secondary care Typically proved in local hospitals usually on referral from primary care
Service level agreements Agreement between organisations and/or agencies setting out how services must be provided, what their standards will be and how monitoring will take place.
Service-user An individual who uses, requests, applies for, or benefits from health or local authority services. They may also be referred to as a client, patient or consumer.
Sick Note See “med cert” above
Signing on Registering as unemployed at a DHSS office
Stakeholder Person or organisation that has an interest in a service or practice
Statutory organisation Organisations with powers to fund/provide services
Sub-acute Care Another term for intermediate care

T

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
TCI To come in
TDS Three Times Daily (ter in die)
THR Total Hip Replacement
TKR Total Knee Replacement
TMTympanic Membrane
TMJTemporo mandibular joint
TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
TPR Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
TSSU Theatre Sterile Supplies Unit.
TTO To Take Out (drugs)
TURTrans Urethral Resection, an endoscopic operation to remove part of the bladder or prostate gland
TWB Touch weight bearing
Tx Treatment Tertiary care Care of a highly specialist nature typically provide in regional centres.

U

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
UP3Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
USS Ultrasound Scanning
UTI Urinary tract infection

V

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
VA Visual Acuity
VF Ventricular Fibrillation
VT Ventricular Tachycardia
Volunteers Volunteers at RDCH support the nursing and domestic staff in the hospital wards by serving hot and cold drinks to the patients. They also provide a non-professional social role to the patients.

W

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
WD Ward
WDP War Disablement Pension
WPA Widowed Parent’s Allowance
WWP War Widow’s Pension
WMC (at RDCH) Wound Management Clinic

X

Y

Abbreviation/TermExplanation
YCS Young Chronic Sick
YDU Young Disabled Unit

Z

Symbols

1d (or 1/7) - one day 2d (or 2/7) - two days etc

1w (or 1/52) - one week, 2w (or 2/52 – two weeks etc

1m (or 1/12) - one month, 2m (or 2/12) – two months etc

1y ( 12/12 ) – one year, 2y (24/12) - 2 years etc

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