| diagnosis, physical | A diagnosis which is made by means of the physical examination of the patient. (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| diagnosis-related group | A classification of patients by diagnosis or surgical procedure (sometimes including age) into major diagnostic categories (each containing specific diseases, disorders, or procedures) for the purpose of determining payment of hospitalization charges, based on the premise that treatment of similar medical diagnoses generate similar costs. A scheme for billing for medical and especially hospital services by combining diseases into groups according to the resources needed for care, arranged by diagnostic category. A dollar value is assigned to each group as the basis of payment for all cases in that group, without regard to the actual cost of care or duration of hospitalization of any individual case, as a mechanism to motivate health-care providers to economise. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diagnosis-related groups | A system for classifying patient care by relating common characteristics such as diagnosis, treatment, and age to an expected consumption of hospital resources and length of stay. Its purpose is to provide a framework for specifying case mix and to reduce hospital costs and reimbursements and it forms the cornerstone of the prospective payment system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| differential diagnosis | The determination of which two or more diseases with similar symptoms is the one from which a patient is suffering from based on an analysis of the clinical data. (27 Sep 1997) |
| DNA diagnosis | <molecular biology> The use of DNA polymorphisms to detect the presence of a disease gene. (09 Oct 1997) |
| laboratory diagnosis | A diagnosis made by a chemical, microscopic, microbiologic, immunologic, or pathologic study of secretions, discharges, blood, or tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biotic community | <biology, zoology> An aggregation of different species of organisms living and interacting within the same habitat. A group of fossil species which are often found together in the same sites. (19 Jan 1998) |
| community | <biology> An association of living organisms having mutual relationships among themselves and to their environment and thus functioning, at least to some degree, as an ecological unit. (05 Jan 1998) |
| community-acquired infections | Any infection acquired in the community, that is, contrasted with those acquired in a health care facility (cross infection). An infection would be classified as community-acquired if the patient had not recently been in a health care facility or been in contact with someone who had been recently in a health care facility. (12 Dec 1998) |
| community dentistry | The practice of dentistry concerned with preventive as well as diagnostic and treatment programs in a circumscribed population. (12 Dec 1998) |
| community health aides | Persons trained to assist professional health personnel in communicating with residents in the community concerning needs and availability of health services. (12 Dec 1998) |
| community health centres | Facilities which administer the delivery of health care services to people living in a community or neighborhood. (12 Dec 1998) |
| community health nurse | A nurse who provides care to individuals or groups in a community outside of institutions. Usually works through the auspices of a state or city health department. Synonym: community health nurse, community nurse. (05 Mar 2000) |
| community health nursing | General and comprehensive nursing practice directed to individuals, families, or groups as it relates to and contributes to the health of a population. This is not an official program of a public health department. (12 Dec 1998) |
| community health planning | Planning that has the goals of improving health, improving accessibility to health services, and promoting efficiency in the provision of services and resources on a comprehensive basis for a whole community. (12 Dec 1998) |