Category: O

Organism that cannot grow in the absence of oxygen (e.g.. Streptococcus pneumoniae). A microorganism that can live and reproduce only in the presence of oxygen.  

Primary characterization test appHcable particularly to Gram-negative bacteria, colonies turning intensely violet on contact with 1 per cent tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride. Neisseria and Pseudomonas are strongly positive, but other genera share the characteristic. In Kovac’s version of the test a platinum loop is used to mix colony with reagent on filter paper; reaction should occur within…

Observation of growing bacteria and their colony formation by repeated microscopical study of an inoculated square of agar incubated on a sterile slide under moist conditions. The method has been applied especially to the morphology of Actinomyces species.  

Those bacteria (the majority, and all parasitic species) which for growth and multiplication require complex sources of carbon and energy—such as carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides and lipids.  

Ethylhydrocupreine hydrochloride, used for the differentiation of true pneumococci (Streptococcus pneumoniae) from other alpha- haemolytic streptococci. Filter paper discs 5 -8 mm in diameter, impregnated with a 1/4000 solution, are placed on blood agar plates inoculated with the suspect strains. Only pneumococci are inhibited, a 5 -10 mm zone of inhibition surrounding the disc.  

Submission of a patient’s bill with diagnosis or operation coding which suggests to the payer’s audit system that an attempt is being made to obtain a higher reimbursement than was probably justified. An audit of the coding and billing is likely to be triggered by such coding. Computer systems which are intended to prevent this…

A patient who requires an unusually long stay or whose stay generates unusually great cost. The term is used in the prospective payment system (PPS). About five or six percent of the budgets for regional and national rates have been set aside for payments for outliers. Outliers provide an escape hatch for the hospital, because…

Research attempting to evaluate the relative benefits of various kinds of treatment and medical care by measuring the outcomes of the care. The basic question asked is “Does Treatment A or Treatment B give the better outcome?” This is, of course, followed by “How much better is the one than the other?” and “How costly…

An agency set up to keep records of persons needing organ transplants and donor organs available, and to match the two with such speed that the surgery can be performed. Also, an organization designated by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as qualified to obtain and supply organs for transplantation in the Medicare program.  

In 1989 Oregon passed the Oregon Basic Health Services Act designed to insure that all citizens would receive at least basic health care. One part would expand Medicaid coverage to all residents below the federal poverty level. This would be done by prioritizing services to be offered on the basis of cost-effectiveness, and only offering…