Category: O

  • Ovarian stimulation

    A treatment for female infertility that encourages the ovaries to produce and release more eggs than they normally do during each monthly cycle.  

  • Ovarian reserve

    The number of remaining oocytes or follicles in the ovaries. The number typically falls with increasing age; it also declines as a result of some types of chemotherapy. Women with very limited ovarian reserves may have difficulty conceiving a child without assisted reproductive techniques.  

  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

    A potentially life-threatening complication that may occur in women receiving drugs to stimulate ovulation. The acute onset occurs within the first week ovulation is induced and is characterized by marked cystic ovarian enlargement, ascites, hydrothorax, arterial hypotension, tachycardia, hemoconcentration, oliguria, sodium retention, hypernatremia, and in severe cases renal failure. The condition is usually mild if…

  • Ovalocytosis

    An abnormally large amount of elliptical red blood cells in the blood.  

  • Outsourcing

    A method in which services usually provided by the health care agency are now allocated to another firm or agency.  

  • Outrigger

    An attachment for hand splints that permits the fingers to be placed in elastic traction.  

  • Out-of-pocket expenses

    The financial obligations for health care services that must be paid by the insured participant in a health benefits plan. Examples of such expenses include copayments or deductibles.  

  • Out-of-hospital

    A term used in emergency medicine to mean “in the field,” “in the community,” “at the patient’s home or workplace,” or “prehospital.” Assessments performed and treatments given out-of-hospital often stabilize a patient or initiate critically needed care.  

  • Outflow

    In neurology, the passage of impulses outwardly from the central nervous system.  

  • Outcome and assessment information set

    A group of items that represent the core of a comprehensive assessment for adult home health patients. It forms the basis for measuring patient outcomes for purposes of Outcomes Based Quality Improvement (OBQI) and Medicare reimbursement. The data set is composed of 79 health and functional status patient assessment items that are discipline-neutral. When measured…