| CQI/TQM | continuous quality improvement/total quality management |
|---|---|
| QA | quality assessment; quality assurance |
| QC | quality characteristics; quality control; quinine colchicine |
| QI | quality improvement; quality indicator |
| ACTA | American Cardiology Technologists Association; automatic computerized transverse axial [scanning] |
| scanning tunnelling microscopy | <procedure> A form of ultra high resolution microscopy of a surface in which a very small current is passed through a surface and is detected by a microprobe of atomic dimnensions at its tip that scans the surface by use of a piezodrive. In the simplest form the current transferred to the probe is recorded as an indication of the contours of molecules on the surface above the local plane. In more complex forms feedback is used to hold the probe at a constant difference and the signal in the feedback loop indicates the contours of the molecule. Capable of resolving single atoms and known to work for nonconducting molecules as well as conducting ones. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy | <technique> Scanning electron microscopy is performed by scanning a focused probe across the surface of the sample to be studied. In the environmental scanning electron microscopy the composition and pressure of the atmosphere around the specimen may be controlled. In favourable cases non-conductive specimens may be examined without coating, and hydrated specimens may be examined with the water still in place. Acronym: ESEM (05 Aug 1998) |
| linker scanning | A type of deletion mutagenesis where the distance and/or reading frame between potentially important regions is maintained by replacement with a synthetic oligonucleotide of known sequence. (05 Mar 2000) |
| air quality maintenance area | Specific populated area where air quality is a problem for one or more pollutants (Portland-Vancouver, Salem, Eugene-Springfield, Medford-Ashland). (05 Dec 1998) |
| ambient air quality | The condition of the air in the surrounding environment. (05 Dec 1998) |
| management quality circles | Participation of employees with management as a labour-management team, in decisions pertaining to the operational activities of the organization or industry. (12 Dec 1998) |
| voice quality | Voice quality is that component of speech which gives the primary distinction to a given speaker's voice when pitch and loudness are excluded. It involves both phonatory and resonatory characteristics. Some of the descriptions of voice quality are harshness, breathiness and nasality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| health care quality, access, and evaluation | The concept concerned with all aspects of the quality, accessibility, and appraisal of health care and health care delivery. (12 Dec 1998) |
| quality adjusted life year | A year of life adjusted for its quality or its value. A year in perfect health is considered equal to 1.0 qaly. The value of a year in ill health would be discounted. For example, a year bedridden might have a value equal to 0.5 qaly. A measurement index derived from a modification of standard life-table procedures and designed to take account of the quality as well as the duration of survival. This index can be used in assessing the outcome of health care procedures or services. (12 Jul 2000) |
| quality assurance | Programs of regular assessment of medical and nursing activities to evaluate the quality of medical care. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quality assurance, health care | Activities and programs intended to assure or improve the quality of care in either a defined medical setting or a program. The concept includes the assessment or evaluation of the quality of care; identification of problems or shortcomings in the delivery of care; designing activities to overcome these deficiencies; and follow-up monitoring to ensure effectiveness of corrective steps. (12 Dec 1998) |
| quality control | In biotechnology, quality control is essential to ensure purified protein pharmaceuticals are indeed pure and that they are intact and maintain their biological activity. (14 Nov 1997) |
| quality control chart | A chart illustrating the allowable limits of error in laboratory test performance, the limits being a defined deviation from the mean of a control serum, most commonly ±2 SD. See: quality control. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quality factor | <radiobiology> (Q) A multiplying factor used with absorbed dose to convert to dose equivalent and therefore to express the radiation's effectiveness in causing biological effects. (16 Dec 1997) |
| quality indicators, health care | Norms, criteria, standards, and other direct qualitative and quantitative measures used in determinng the quality of health care. (12 Dec 1998) |