Appendix B: Glossary of Selected Terms
Definitions for the terms used in this report are reproduced in part from
the Health Disparities Collaboratives Web site. The complete glossary of terms
is available at: http://www.healthdisparities.net/hdc/hdcsearch/isysquery/96d40bff-2f51-4083-a7bd-3909f0f70ffa/2/doc/.
Action period. Time between learning sessions
when teams work on improvement in their organizations.
Aim/aim statement. A written, measurable, and
time-sensitive statement of the accomplishments a team expects to make from
its improvement efforts.
Chronic Care Model. A model that represents a system of health
care for people with chronic disease and an approach to re-designing health
care to mirror that ideal system. It was developed by Improving Chronic
Illness Care.
Clinical information system. A system
that incorporates the development of a comprehensive, integrated information
system that is "patient-centered," includes patient registries,
a practice management system including billing system, an electronic health
record, personal health records.
Collaborative. A systematic approach to health
care quality improvement in which organizations and providers test and measure
practice innovations, then share their experiences in an effort to accelerate
learning and widespread implementation of best practices.
Learning session. A 3-day meeting during which participating
organization teams meet with faculty and collaborate to learn key changes in
the topic area, including how to implement them, an approach for accelerating
improvement, and a method for overcoming obstacles to change.
Model for Improvement. A process improvement approach,
developed by Associates in Process Improvement, which helps teams accelerate
adoption of proven, effective changes. The model includes use of "rapid-cycle
improvement" (PDSA cycles).
PDSA cycle. Another name for a cycle (structured trial) of
a change, which includes four phases: Plan, Do, Study, and Act.
Pre-work. Time before first learning session when teams prepare
for work in the Collaborative.
Registry. A list or database set of records that contain
individual patient information. "Registry size" refers to
the count of patients represented in the list.
Senior leader report. The standard format for reporting monthly
progress in the Collaborative.
Spread. The intentional and methodical expansion of the number
and type of people, units, or organizations using the improvements.
Storyboard. Board that displays information about a team
and its progress; it is displayed at learning sessions to help create an environment
conducive to sharing and learning from the experiences of others.
Team. Group of individuals, usually from multiple disciplines,
who drive and participate in the improvement process.
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