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Learn the significance of accurate spelling and usage of medical terms, prefixes, suffixes, and more. Essential for all office employees and technicians. Avoid confusion with common abbreviations.
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Medical Terminology Jeff Steele, LDO, CPOT, ABOC
Objective • State the importance of correct spelling and accurate usage of medical terms • Describe the use of prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms in medical terms • Demonstrate the knowledge of word meanings to analyze and understand medical terms
Overview • All business office employees and technicians should have a basic knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations: • Used in bookkeeping • Accounts receivable • Insurance claims • Transcribing in patient’s records
Accuracy • Accuracy is essential! • Your accuracy and spelling is extremely important because the wrong term can have serious consequences for the patient: • Palpation vs. palpitation • Palpation= examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, and location of certain body parts • Palpitation= pounding or racing heart
Spelling • Let’s be honest, spelling is important in any form of written communication (we always want to sound intelligent!) • Changing just one or two letters can alter the meaning of a word! • A medical dictionary is a convenient reference that should be kept on your desk and used as necessary
Abbreviations • Very frequently used in medicine. Many have only one meaning, but others have multiple meanings! • Example CC can be 1. chief complaint, or mean 2. with correction • Everyone should be on the same page when using abbreviations, so as not to cause confusion!
Common Abbreviations • S M D W= single, married, divorced, or widowed • REF BY= referred by • TB= tuberculosis • DIAB= diabetes • HT DIS= heart disease • HA= headache
Prefixes • Added to the beginning of a word, to change the meaning: • ab= away from • ad= toward • Hyper=above • Hypo=below • Intra= within • Post=after • Sub=under or below • Super (or supra)= above, excessive or beyond
Suffixes • Added to the end of a word and usually indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease • itis= inflammation • ectomy= surgical removal • ologist=specialist • oma=tumor • osis=abnormal condition • scopy=visual examination
Root Words • angio=blood or lymph vessels • arterio=artery • arthro=joint • cario=heart • cranio=skull • neuro=nerve
Common Ophthalmic Abbreviations • Cats= cataracts • ARMD= macular degeneration • HA= headache • VA= visual acuities • PD= pupillary distance • RP= retinitis pigmentosa • DR= diabetic retinopathy • POAG= primary open-angle glaucoma • PCAG= primary closed-angle glaucoma • STBM= strabismus • BLRI= blepharitis • CJ= conjunctivitis
Summary • If in doubt- don’t use abbreviations, are many have a variety of meanings! Spell it out!!! • Accuracy in spelling, and a basic knowledge of abbreviations and terminology is a must for all technicians