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As part of our mandate to share the knowledge and expertise that clients need to deploy large-scale information management systems, SoftTech Health provides many useful information resources. Some of the most commonly-used information management terminology is explained in the following glossary.
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Accreditation (for labs) - A formal process with assessment protocols with which a lab must comply to receive recognition of competence, quality, or conformance with a specific set of standards or regulations.
Access - A popular database application made by Microsoft. SoftTech IMS can be integrated with Access databases and also can save online application forms in a dynamically-created Access database.
ActiveX - ActiveX components function like mini-applications within a container application, such as internet Explorer, to extend the functionality of a web page.
Application server - An application server runs together with the Web server application to serve web pages to your visitors. When a visitor clicks a hyperlink or enters an URL, if the requested page is not an HTML page, the page request will be relayed to the appropriate application server. For example, web pages with the .cfm extension will be handed off to the ColdFusion application server. The application server processes the content, then passes it back to the web server in order to serve the page to the end user.
Architect/Architecture (for web) - In the context of a Website/Intranet/Extranet, architecture refers to the structure and navigation of the site, to guide visitors efficiently through the information offered. Sample architectures include Linear (page 1 to page 2 and so on); hub and spoke (main page "hub" leads directly to individual "spoke" pages); or a combination.
ASP - Active Server Pages, a form of web page that allows interactivity and dynamic content.
ASPX - .NET Active Server Page, a form of web page that allows interactivity and dynamic content.
Assessment – the onsite examination of a peer (peer assessment) or a staff member (self-assessment) to evaluate whether or not the lab has complied with regulations or standards of accreditation.
Audit - The process of determining whether a lab (the auditee) is conforming to specific criteria. Typically results in an audit report (filed by the auditor) and an action plan to correct any non-conformances.
Authentication - Verifying, usually by means on a log in name and password, that the user is authorized to use the software/operating system/network/website/etc.
B
Bandwidth - The rate at which data travels through a network connection. The higher the bandwidth, generally speaking, the faster the transmission.
Barcode scanning - the use of swiped bar codes, such as on a hospital ID card, for identification when logging into a computer system. Intended to increase security of user identification above and beyond password authentication.
Biometrics - the use of physical characteristics such as iris patterns or fingerprints, for identification. Intended to increase security of user identification above and beyond password authentication.
Bookmark - Called "Favorites" in Internet Explorer, these are shortcuts to frequently-visited pages so that you don't have to type in the URL in the address bar.
Browser - Web browsers display pages with text and graphics, for viewing on the Internet/Intranet. The most commonly used Web Browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
Bulletin board - An area of a Web site where users can post messages for other users to read; useful for collaboration and to replace broadcast emails.
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C
Cache - An allocated amount of memory on your hard drive that stores elements of web sites that you visit. This speeds up downloading time as the next time you visit the page, these elements don't need to be downloaded again
Calibration – The process, resulting in a calibration report or certificate, of determining whether a measuring instrument or system in a lab is measuring and indicating accurately. Done by establishing values, under controlled conditions, indicated by an instrument compared with known values.
CBT - (Computer-Based Training) A form of training that is served over a computer rather than in a classroom, which a trainee can access online or on an Intranet and thus can proceed at her own pace. Usually includes interactive features such as quizzes with feedback.
Client - Any application that a end-user uses to contact and retrieve information from a server application on another computer (also called a server). Web Browsers are an example of a client: each time a user clicks a hyperlink, the web server sends the requested information (a web page) to the client, i.e. the visitor’s browser. Each different client software program is designed to work with its’ respective server software.
Conformance - the state of having fulfilled an accreditation/audit criterion or requirement correctly. Non-conformances, sometimes classified as major or minor non-conformances to indicate the severity of deficiency, must result in corrective action(s) to bring about compliance.
Corrective Action - Action(s) taken by an organization to prevent recurrence of a complaint and/or nonconformance (as with accreditation).
CTI - Computer Telephony Integration. In general, the integration of telephone and computer communications. Some software vendors market CTI applications with sophisticated functions for automating high-volume call centers.
Content - a generic term to describe the text, graphics, and interactive elements that make up a web page.
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Database - A collection of records, such as contact information for each staff member, in a single computer file. Popular database programs include SQL Server and Access.
Discussion group - Essentially a bulletin board, an online forum where users can discuss topics of interest. SoftTech IMS clients use SoftTech-powered discussion groups centered around disciplines, such as social work, or physiotherapy.
Domain name - Domain names are the user-friendly addresses by which websites are known (such as "www.softtechhealth.com"). These names are "mapped" to the site's original numerical IP addresses for more user-friendly addressing.
Download - to transfer files from one computer to another; usually from a website/intranet server to your own computer.
Dynamic Content - In one sense, website/intranet content kept up-to-date and fresh. Also refers to content that is generated on-the-fly from either a file-system using include files or scripts, or a from a database using back-end integration. An example is a website with in-stock information that is dynamically updated from the warehouse’s stock-keeping database.
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E
E-mail - Electronic mail. Allows the transmission of text messages, with attached electronic files, from one computer user to another via a network or Internet connection. Requires the use of an email client, such as Outlook Express.
Encryption - Increases the security of data while it is being transmitted from one computer to another, since the recipient computer must decrypt the data with the appropriate key.
EPS - Encapsulated PostScript: a graphics file format that is typically used for high-quality printing. Since they tend to be large files, they are not used on websites.
Extranet - a website with access that's restricted to business partners and suppliers.
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F
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. A common feature of websites and Intranets, a FAQ page provides answers to the organization's most frequently-asked questions.
First Party Audit - an audit carried out in-house by the organization’s own staff (as opposed to a third-party audit).
Form - An online form, like those which can be made using SoftTech IMS, allows users to fill in and submit the form online rather than on paper. Invaluable for reducing duplicate entry and processing time.
Forum - Analogous to a bulletin board, a forum is an online discussion board where users can go to read messages regarding a specific topic and post their own questions or answers in response.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol. A protocol commonly used for transferring files over the Internet from one computer to another, for example, when uploading images or web pages to a server.
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GIF - one of two image formats that can be displayed within a web page. See also jpeg.
GLP – (Good Laboratory Practices) Generally accepted lab practices to ensure quality and safety within the lab.
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H
Host - a computer connected to a network which can host websites, newsgroups, etc.
HTML - (Hypertext Markup Language) The coded formatting language used to write web pages
HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The protocol by which computers connected to the internet can call up and read pages written in HTML and other languages.
Hyperlink - An element in a web page, email message, or file (such as text or an image) which the user can select. Upon selected a hyperlink, the user then "jumps" to another web page or file. Allows effective browsing and cross-referencing.
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I
Include Files - Designed to increase the modularity of web/Intranet pages, include files are chunks of a page that may be common to many different pages in a site. For example, the top navigation banner may be the same throughout the site, so by putting it in an include file, the content only needs to be updated on the include file. When a web server reads a page that calls an include file: <!--#include FILE="include.html"--> the web server will dynamically insert it into the Web page before sending it to the end user.
Information Management System - a computer application that serves as a central repository for gathering, approving, archiving and publishing information.
Interactivity - refers to web pages that are not static but change depending on the user's actions. Examples include drop-down menus, forms, polls, etc.
Internet - A worldwide network that allows computers with Internet connections to communicate with one another. Enables the use of the Worldwide Web, VoIP, chat, email and other utilities.
Intranet - A website that's dedicated to users within an organization as opposed to the wider public.
ISO - (International Standards Organization) A series of quality standards produced by the Geneva based standards organizations. Organizations with ISO certification are said to be "ISO-compliant."
ISP - Internet Service Provider. Provides access to the Internet, and may also provide hosting and other services.
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Javascript - a markup language that allows interactive, such as dropdown menus, on a web page.
Job postings (online) - Online job postings, such as those provided by SoftTech IMS, allow cost-effective and broad publication of job opportunities. Job postings can be linked to online job application forms, to streamline recruitment.
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K
Keyword - Users enter keywords or phrases into a Website/intranet's Search Engine, which returns results of pages that containing the keyword's.
Knowledge Management - Describes a class of computer applications that aim to make an organization's files more efficiently organized, improving speed of access, security, workflow and archiving processes.
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L
Login - a.k.a. Logon. Some computer applications require users to enter a user name and password, which is authenticated against the computer's list of authorized users, before allowing the user to gain access to the application.
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M
Metatags - hidden keywords or phrases that describe a document's content, as well as provide synonyms and alternative spellings for the content. Used to ensure that Search Engines will find and index the document accurately.
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N
Navigation - the path that website/Intranet audiences use to go from one page to another on a Website/Intranet.
Network - A series of connected computers. Most organizations use a network so that computer users can communicate electronically and also share files, printers, and web/email servers.
Nonconformity/Nonconformance - the failure to conform to specific audit or accreditation criteria as defined by regulatory or accreditation bodies.
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OLA – (Ontario Lab Accreditation) The healthcare lab accreditation system, developed and administered by QMP-LS, for labs in Ontario, Canada.
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P
Plug-in - Third-party software that integrated with a web browser to extend the browser's functionality. A common example is Flash, which allows short animated movies to run within a web page.
Polls - Polls allow website visitors to cast a vote on a single issue. Poll results can be analyzed and tabulated by some applications such as SoftTech IMS.
Port - Services on a host computer which is connected to the internet must "listen" on a particular port number on that server. For example, Web servers typically listen on port 80. Services can also listen on non-standard ports: if this is the case then the port number is part of the actual URL when accessing the server.
Posting - replying to or initiating a discussion on a public forum on a Website/Intranet, such as a bulletin board.
Procedure - Specified, formalized way to conduct an activity. May be known as SOP (Standard Operating Procedure.) In labs, also referred to as Methods.
Protocol - A framework rules that standardizes the way computers can communicate over the Internet.
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Quality Management System - a system that enables formal definition, measurement and reporting in order to determine whether an organization is competent to comply with formal regulatory and/or unstated quality principles. The SoftTech Health Lab QMS provides an automated QMS which enables easier and faster compliance with quality standards.
Top R
RAID - RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive (or Independent) Disks) is a storage mechanism that uses several hard disks working in conjunction with one another, transparently to the end user. RAID is designed to increase bandwidth and to provide redundancy in case of server failure.
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S
Schema - A conceptual structure or framework of how digital files shall be organized. An example is a site map schematic for an intranet.
Scripts - Scripts are small, simple programs that are written in interpreted languages like PERL and TCL. Interpreted languages are those languages that are generated into machine code on-the-fly, which means they execute (much) more slowly than compiled programs written in C or C++. They are typically easier to write than more complex compiled applications. Scripts are usually used for simple, lightweight applications and are typically much easier to write than a standard program written in C and C++.
Search Engine - A utility that allows visitors to a website/intranet to enter keywords or phrases for information they are looking for, then browse through the Search Results.
Server - The physical computer that hosts an organization's Website/Intranet files and "serves" them to visitors who enter the site's URL in their browsers.
SSI - (Server-side includes) see Include Files.
SQL- (Structured Query Language) A programming language that is especially for sending information requests within a database. Most database applications can be queried using common SQL statements, for example to re-display the database table. Depending on the database application, the SQL statements may vary slightly but they work on the same SQL subset.
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T
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. The most commonly-used protocol to transfer files over the Internet.
TIFF - (Tagged Interchange File Format) A graphics file format used mostly for illustrations. TIFF files are high-resolution and meant for printing, not for use on websites, although they are compressed bitmaps and therefore are smaller than EPS files.
Tolerance - the limits of permissible error, as defined by specs or regulations, for a measuring instrument. Expressed as a range of values.
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U
Upload - Transferring files from one computer to another, typically from a user's local machine to a website/intranet server.
URL - (Uniform Resource Locator) The address of a website or Intranet, which is typed into the web browser application's address bar.
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W
Web - Part of the Internet, the web refers to a collection of websites published by various organizations/individuals, which can be viewed by a web browser application.
Web server - (HTTP Server) As well as a computer that "serves" websites, web server also refers to an application which serves Web content. Your web audience makes a "GET" request to your web server application from their browser when they click on a hyperlink in an HTML page. This request passes the destination filename to the Web server application so it returns the appropriate file to the user’s browser.
WYSIWYG - What you see is what you get. In the context of a content management system, refers to the way that web page editing is made easier by displaying the web page to the author exactly as it will look to the end user. X
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