(Aging Untold) — Acronyms used in medical and caregiving settings can leave patients and families confused at critical moments.
Commonly used terms such as PPO, HMO, ADL, SNF, DNR and UTI are standard shorthand in health care settings, but many families often encounter them for the first time during a crisis, when a loved one is hospitalized or transitioning to a new level of care.
“Every industry has these acronyms, but we, our industry, we impact lives. These acronyms aren’t just like throwaway acronyms,” aging expert and Aging Untold co-host Amy O’Rourke said.
Here’s a look at some of the health care ABCs and how to decode what they mean.
What ADL means — and why it matters
ADL stands for activities of daily living.
The term refers to tasks such as bathing and dressing, basic functions that measure how independently a person can care for themselves. Health care providers use ADL assessments to determine a patient’s level of need.
Seniors in particular should understand the term because their care eligibility is often evaluated based on their ability to perform their own ADLs, gerontologist and Aging Untold co-host Sam Cradduck said.
SNF, UTI and other terms families should know
SNF — pronounced “sniff” — stands for skilled nursing facility. Patients are sometimes told they will be discharged to an SNF without understanding what that means.
“That’s the only time I like to use the f-word — skilled nursing facility — because if it’s anything else, I really try to avoid the word facility and say community,” aging well coach and Aging Untold co-host Katherine Ambrose said.
She said it’s empowering for residents and their families.
“No one wants to live in a facility, a facility’s a warehouse or prison, so empowering language is important,” Ambrose added.
UTI, or urinary tract infection, is a term that care providers use routinely but that patients may not recognize.
Advice for patients and families
Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician and Aging Untold co-host, said she makes a practice of stating the full term before introducing the acronym when speaking with patients.
Patients and families should ask health care providers to define acronyms upfront, especially when entering a new care setting such as a hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation center.
Cradduck said if you don’t know what an acronym means, ask.
When a health care crisis occurs, families should ask staff to provide a list of the acronyms used in that facility so they can take notes, O’Rourke added.
Learn more
There are several acronyms and common terms used in medical care, long-term care, home health, hospice and clinical care.
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