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Jargon Buster

The SCATA Jargon Buster is a compilation of many of the confusing terms and acronyms used in Health Informatics. It was compiled from various sources and is maintained by the SCATA membership.
If you are are a SCATA member, you can add and edit jargon terms from the member's area
Non-members can use the contact page to submit a new term or acronym, or to update an existing one.

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Term or Acronym

Definition

Explanation

e-GIF

Electronic Government Interoperability Framework

A set of regularly updated technical standards designed to enable interaction between public sector systems. Compliance is a mandatory requirement of new systems in the NHS.

e-Referral Service

Booking system for NHS appointments

This has replaced Choose and Book. It is intended to allow patients to book outpatient appointments at a time and place on a date that suits them.

ECDL

European Computer Driving Licence

A test of competence in the use of computers and (mostly Microsoft) software.
www.ecdl.com

ECS

Emergency Care Summary

The NHS Scotland equivalent of the C4H Summary Care Record. A small nugget of health information including alerts, allergies and current medication. An explicit consent model is required for access to the summary by Out-of-Hours, A&E and Acute services.

EDIFACT or UNEDIFACT

Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport

A standard supported by the United Nations for the electronic exchange of structured messages. Used for Central Returns and Pathology messages in the NHS. About to be replaced by XML as a messaging standard.

EHR

Electronic Health Record

A term introduced in IfH and now superceded by NCRS and the Spine. The concept of a cradle to grave record of health and health care maintained in the primary care arena.

EMIS

 

Egton Medical Information Systems, GP Clinical Administration System

EMPI

Enterprise Master Patient Index

A patient database used by healthcare organizations to maintain accurate medical data across its various departments

EPR

Electronic Patient Record

Superseded by NCRS but still in common use. The electronic equivalent of the hospital notes folder but with added functions.

ERDIP

Electronic Record Development and Implementation Programme

A series of pilot projects exploring various aspects of electronic patient records.

ETP

Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions