> Glossary

Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)
What is physician-assisted suicide? Find the definition of physician-assisted suicide here.

Euthanasia
What is euthanasia? Find the definition of euthanasia here.

Probate Definition
Probate is a legal process that takes place after a death. Find out what it involves here...

Advanced Directive
Definitions of an Advanced Directive.

Artificial Nutrition Definition
Receiving nutrition in any form other than the taking in of food and fluid through the mouth (orally) is considered artificial nutrition.

Attending Physician
An attending physician usually has the most significant role in a patient's medical care.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Short definition of CPR

Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR)
Short definition of a Do Not Resuscitate Order.

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Brief definition of durable power of attorney for healthcare.

Following Physician
A following physician is chosen by the patient to be the doctor in charge of medical care.

Gastrostomy (G) Tube Definition
A gastrostomy tube, or G tube, is a tube that is placed directly into the stomach for long term administration of food, fluids, and medications.

Hospice
Short definition of Hospice.

Hospice Diagnosis
A patient is admitted to hospice with a terminal diagnosis that will determine what is covered under the hospice benefit.

Hospice Physician
The hospice physician certifies the patient's terminal illness and oversees the patient's medical care while on hospice.

Intubation
Short definition of intubation.

Living Will
Short definition of a living will.

Mechanical Ventilation Definition
Mechanical ventilation is the use of a machine to take over active breathing for a patient.

Medicare Hospice Benefit
A benefit of Medicare coverage, it establishes patient eligibility, services provided, and reimbursement for hospice services.

Nasogastric (NG) Tube Definition
A nasogastric tube, or NG tube, is a tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach.

Palliate
Short definition of palliate.

Palliative Care
Brief definition of palliative care.

Renal Dialysis Definition
Renal dialysis is the process of filtering the blood, the way kidneys normally do, using a machine.

Respite
Respite means relief or a break.

Resuscitation
Brief definition of resuscitation.

Simultaneous Care
Simultaneous care is a model of care that allows patients and families to recieve palliative care at the same time as curative care.

Total Parentarel Nutrition (TPN) Definition
Total parentarel nutrition (TPN)is an intravenous feeding that provides nutrition and fluids for someone who cannot take in foods and fluid orally.