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Hospital Administration Glossary
80+ essential terms from NABH to ICD-11, OPD to RCM, BOR to LAMA — defined clearly for Kerala hospital administration students. Each term is linked to the relevant training module at TMS.
What does NABH stand for in hospital administration?
NABH stands for National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers. It is the premier accreditation body for hospitals in India, functioning under the Quality Council of India (QCI). NABH accreditation certifies that a hospital meets rigorous quality and patient safety standards across all departments. Nearly every major private hospital in Kerala — Aster Medcity, Rajagiri, VPS Lakeshore, KIMS, Amrita — is NABH accredited. Hospital administrators are responsible for maintaining NABH compliance. Treneywann TMS (Vyttila, Kochi) trains students on NABH standards as a core curriculum module.
The Complete A–Z Hospital Administration Glossary
Use this reference throughout your studies and career. Each definition tells you what the term means, where it is used, and which HMS module at TMS covers it.
A
ABC Analysis
ABC Analysis is an inventory classification method that divides stock into three categories: A (high value, low quantity — 70% of value), B (moderate), and C (low value, high quantity). In hospitals, it is used for pharmacy and medical stores management to prioritise purchasing and stock control decisions. TMS Module: Pharmacy & Stores Management (Hinall HMS Module 9).
ADR
An ADR is any harmful, unintended response to a medication at a normal dose. Hospital administrators manage ADR reporting systems, ensure pharmacovigilance protocols are in place, and maintain documentation required for NABH compliance and medicolegal protection. ADR data is tracked in the HMS pharmacy module. TMS Module: Pharmacy Management & Quality (Hinall HMS Modules 9 & 12).
ALOS
ALOS is the average number of days patients remain hospitalised per admission. It is a critical KPI for hospital administrators — lower ALOS generally indicates higher efficiency and better bed utilisation. ALOS is calculated and tracked in the HMS MIS module and is required for NABH reporting. TMS Module: Hospital MIS & Statistics (Hinall HMS Module 11).
Ayushman Bharat
Ayushman Bharat is India's flagship government health insurance scheme providing coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. Hospital administrators manage Ayushman Bharat empanelment, pre-authorisation, claim submission, and settlement processes. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance Management (Hinall HMS Module 6).
B
BOR — Bed Occupancy Rate
BOR measures the percentage of hospital beds occupied on average over a period. Formula: (Total Inpatient Days / Available Bed Days) × 100. An ideal BOR is 80–85%. Too low indicates poor utilisation; too high risks staff burnout and infection spread. BOR is a primary KPI tracked by hospital administrators daily. TMS Module: Hospital MIS (Hinall HMS Module 11).
Biomedical Waste
Biomedical waste is any waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunisation of human beings or animals. It includes sharps, infectious waste, pharmaceutical waste, and chemical waste. Hospital administrators ensure BMW segregation into colour-coded bins (yellow, red, blue, white), collection, treatment, and disposal per the Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016 and NABH standards. TMS Module: Quality & NABH (Hinall HMS Module 12).
Bioequivalence
Bioequivalence refers to the comparison of bioavailability between a generic drug and its branded equivalent. In hospital administration, understanding bioequivalence helps administrators make formulary decisions — choosing cost-effective generic substitutes without compromising therapeutic outcomes — a key function in pharmacy management and procurement. TMS Module: Pharmacy Management (Hinall HMS Module 9).
BTR
BTR is the number of patients using each hospital bed over a specific period. It reflects hospital efficiency in managing patient admission and discharge cycles. High BTR combined with good ALOS performance indicates optimal bed management. Hospital administrators track BTR weekly and monthly as part of operations dashboards. TMS Module: Hospital MIS (Hinall HMS Module 11).
C
Cashless (Insurance)
Cashless hospitalisation allows insured patients to receive treatment without paying upfront — the TPA settles the bill directly with the hospital. Hospital administrators manage cashless desks, obtain pre-authorisation from TPAs, submit interim enhancement requests for long admissions, and ensure final settlement documentation is complete. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance Management (Hinall HMS Module 6).
CCU
The CCU is a specialised ICU ward for patients with serious cardiac conditions. Hospital administrators manage CCU bed allocation, equipment maintenance scheduling, staffing ratios, and billing for high-cost CCU services including monitoring, ventilation, and interventional cardiology procedures. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
CGHS
CGHS provides comprehensive medical care to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents. Hospitals empanelled under CGHS must follow prescribed package rates and documentation requirements. Administrators manage CGHS patient registration, pre-authorisation, claim documentation, and reimbursement filing. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance Management (Hinall HMS Module 6).
Consent (Informed Consent)
Informed consent is the process of obtaining a patient's voluntary, documented agreement for a procedure, surgery, or treatment after full disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives. Hospital administrators design consent processes, maintain consent documentation systems, and ensure compliance with MCI guidelines and NABH standards. TMS Module: Medicolegal & Ethics (Hinall HMS Module 14).
Consignment
Consignment is a procurement model where vendors supply goods (especially implants or high-value medical devices) to the hospital and payment is made only upon use. It reduces hospital inventory investment and wastage risk. Administrators manage consignment tracking in the HMS stores module, ensuring accurate usage recording and timely vendor settlement. TMS Module: Stores & Procurement (Hinall HMS Module 10).
CPT Code
CPT codes are standardised numeric codes used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. In Indian hospitals dealing with international patients or insurance companies that follow US coding standards, administrators use CPT codes alongside ICD codes for billing and claims. TMS Module: Medical Records & Coding (Hinall HMS Module 5).
CSSD
CSSD is the department responsible for cleaning, sterilising (autoclaving, ETO, plasma sterilisation), packaging, and distributing sterile instruments and equipment to OT, ICU, wards, and clinics. Administrators manage CSSD turnaround time, sterilisation logs, equipment maintenance schedules, and NABH compliance documentation. TMS Module: Operations & Facilities (Hinall HMS Module 13).
D
DAMA
DAMA occurs when a patient insists on leaving hospital before the treating physician recommends discharge. Administrators ensure DAMA documentation is complete — signed undertaking from patient/guardian, treating doctor notification, counselling record, and insurance notation. DAMA rates are tracked as a patient satisfaction and risk management indicator. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
Denial Management
Denial management is the systematic process of identifying, analysing, and appealing rejected insurance claims. Hospital billing administrators track denial reasons — eligibility errors, coding mistakes, documentation gaps — and resubmit corrected claims within the insurer's timeline. Effective denial management directly improves hospital revenue. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance / RCM (Hinall HMS Module 6).
DRG
DRG is a patient classification system that groups hospital cases with similar diagnoses, treatments, and resource use into a single payment category. Insurance companies and government schemes (including Ayushman Bharat packages) use DRG-style payment to standardise reimbursement. Administrators use DRG coding to optimise billing accuracy and revenue. TMS Module: Medical Coding & RCM (Hinall HMS Module 5).
DRG Coding
DRG coding is the process of assigning the correct DRG to a patient case based on primary diagnosis (ICD-10 code), procedures (CPT codes), complications, comorbidities, and discharge status. Accurate DRG coding maximises appropriate reimbursement and reduces audit risk. Medical record administrators and coders perform DRG coding in the HMS coding module. TMS Module: Medical Records & Coding (Hinall HMS Module 5).
Duty Roster
A duty roster is the schedule that assigns hospital staff to shifts, departments, and roles over a defined period. Creating duty rosters that ensure 24/7 department coverage, comply with labour laws, and meet NABH staffing standards is a core HR administration task. Hinall HMS automates roster generation and tracks attendance against the schedule. TMS Module: HR Management (Hinall HMS Module 8).
E
ECHS
ECHS provides medical care to retired defence personnel and their dependents through empanelled hospitals. Hospital administrators manage ECHS patient registration, referral documentation, pre-authorisation, and reimbursement claims at prescribed package rates. ECHS empanelled hospitals must maintain specific documentation standards. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance Management (Hinall HMS Module 6).
EHR
An EHR is a digital version of a patient's complete medical history — diagnoses, treatments, medications, lab results, imaging, and clinical notes — maintained across all providers and visits. EHRs differ from EMRs in that they are designed to be shared across healthcare organisations. Administrators manage EHR access controls, data integrity, and compliance with health information privacy standards. TMS Module: Medical Records & HIM (Hinall HMS Module 5).
EMR
An EMR is a digital record of a patient's encounters with a single healthcare provider or hospital. Unlike an EHR, an EMR is not typically shared outside the originating organisation. In daily hospital administration, EMRs are the primary digital documentation tool for all clinical encounters, managed and maintained through the HMS. TMS Module: Medical Records (Hinall HMS Module 5).
ESI
ESI is a statutory social security scheme for employees in the organised sector, providing medical, sickness, maternity, and disablement benefits. Hospital HR administrators manage ESI registration, monthly contribution deductions, ESIC portal compliance, and ESI-related employee documentation. TMS Module: HR Management (Hinall HMS Module 8).
ESIS
ESIS is the overarching scheme of which ESI contributions are a part, covering medical facilities for insured workers and their families. Hospitals empanelled under ESIS manage specific patient registration and billing procedures distinct from other TPAs. Administrators handle ESIS billing reconciliation and ESIC reimbursement tracking. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance (Hinall HMS Module 6).
F
Form 16
Form 16 is the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificate issued by an employer to employees annually, summarising salary paid and tax deducted. Hospital HR administrators generate and distribute Form 16 to all employees before May 31 each year as part of payroll compliance under the Income Tax Act. TMS Module: HR Management & Payroll (Hinall HMS Module 8).
Formulary
A hospital formulary is the approved list of medicines stocked and prescribed within a hospital, selected by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee based on clinical efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Hospital administrators maintain the formulary in the HMS, manage additions and deletions, and enforce formulary compliance among prescribers. TMS Module: Pharmacy Management (Hinall HMS Module 9).
Fumigation
Fumigation is the process of using chemical agents (formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide vapour) to decontaminate hospital rooms, OTs, and ICUs before and after high-risk procedures or in the event of outbreak. Hospital administrators schedule fumigation, coordinate room downtime, maintain fumigation logs, and ensure compliance with infection control SOPs and NABH requirements. TMS Module: Infection Control & Operations (Hinall HMS Module 13).
G
Gratuity
Gratuity is a statutory financial benefit paid by an employer to an employee upon completion of 5 or more years of continuous service (or on retirement/death). Hospital HR administrators calculate and manage gratuity liability, maintain gratuity fund accounts, and process payments in compliance with the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972. TMS Module: HR Management (Hinall HMS Module 8).
GRN
A GRN is a document generated when goods (medicines, consumables, equipment) are received from a vendor and inspected. The GRN confirms quantity, quality, and condition against the purchase order and delivery challan. Administrators process GRNs in the HMS stores module to update inventory and trigger vendor payment cycles. TMS Module: Stores & Procurement (Hinall HMS Module 10).
H
HCAI
HCAI (also called nosocomial infection) is an infection acquired during hospital care that was not present at the time of admission. Administrators manage HCAI surveillance, reporting rates (CLABSI, CAUTI, VAP, SSI), infection control committee meetings, and NABH IPSG compliance. Reducing HCAI rates is a measurable quality outcome. TMS Module: Quality & Infection Control (Hinall HMS Module 12).
HDU
The HDU is a hospital ward providing a level of care between the general ward and ICU — for patients who are stable but need closer monitoring. Hospital administrators manage HDU bed allocation, nursing ratio compliance (typically 1:2), equipment inventory, and billing for HDU-level services. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
HIM
HIM is the practice of managing medical information across all formats — paper, digital, and hybrid — throughout its lifecycle: creation, storage, retrieval, and disposal. HIM professionals manage MRD operations, ICD coding, medicolegal records, and compliance with data retention policies. TMS Module: Medical Records & HIM (Hinall HMS Module 5).
HIPAA
HIPAA is a US federal law that sets standards for protecting sensitive patient health information (PHI). While HIPAA is US-specific, its principles are applied in Indian hospitals handling international patients, medical tourism, or US-insured patients. Administrators understand HIPAA to manage international patient data protocols. TMS Module: Hospital Information Management (Hinall HMS Module 5).
HMS
HMS is integrated software managing all hospital operations — patient registration, OPD/IPD, billing, pharmacy, lab, radiology, HR, finance, and reports — in one platform. At TMS, students train on Hinall HMS, a production-grade system built by TreneyWann Technologies and deployed in actual Kerala hospitals. TMS Module: All 17 Hinall HMS Modules.
HR
Hospital HR manages the complete employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, credentialing, attendance, payroll, performance appraisal, training, grievance resolution, and separation. Hospital HR administrators work closely with clinical heads and department managers on staffing ratios and NABH HR standards compliance. TMS Module: HR Management (Hinall HMS Module 8).
I
ICD-10
ICD-10 is the global standard for classifying diagnoses, diseases, symptoms, and procedures using alphanumeric codes. Hospital administrators and medical coders use ICD-10 for billing, insurance claims, mortality statistics, and NABH documentation. India mandates ICD-10 use in all hospitals. TMS Module: Medical Records & Coding (Hinall HMS Module 5).
ICD-11
ICD-11 is the latest WHO revision (effective 2022), replacing ICD-10 with an expanded, digital-first coding system. ICD-11 has significantly more codes, improved mental health classification, and better compatibility with electronic health records. Administrators must prepare for India's phased transition to ICD-11 in coming years. TMS Module: Medical Records & Coding (Hinall HMS Module 5).
ICU
The ICU is a specialised hospital ward providing continuous monitoring and life-support for critically ill patients. Hospital administrators manage ICU bed allocation, equipment maintenance, nursing ratios (1:1 in ICU), billing for high-cost interventions (ventilator, dialysis), and NABH ICU compliance standards. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
Indent
An indent is an internal request raised by a department (pharmacy, OT, lab, housekeeping) to the stores or purchase department for replenishment of supplies or new items. Administrators process indents through the HMS stores module, apply procurement rules, and route for approval before generating purchase orders. TMS Module: Stores & Procurement (Hinall HMS Module 10).
Inquest
An inquest is a formal judicial inquiry into the cause of a sudden, unexpected, or suspicious death, including those occurring in hospital. Hospital administrators ensure medicolegal documentation is complete, the police are informed (for MLC cases), the body is handed over per procedure, and the hospital's legal liability is protected through accurate records. TMS Module: Medicolegal & Ethics (Hinall HMS Module 14).
IP
An IP or inpatient is a patient formally admitted to the hospital and allocated a bed. IP management involves admission processes, ward management, daily billing, dietary orders, nursing care plans, physician rounds documentation, and discharge summaries. All IP activity is tracked through the HMS IPD module. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
IPD
The IPD manages all hospitalised patients from admission to discharge. IPD administration includes bed allocation, patient identification banding, nursing station coordination, consultant fee processing, insurance updates, and discharge planning. IPD management is one of the most critical functions in the hospital administrative role. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
IPSG
IPSGs are six universal patient safety standards (WHO / JCI) adopted by NABH: correct patient identification, effective communication, safe medication management, correct-site surgery, infection control, and fall prevention. Hospital administrators design and monitor compliance with IPSG protocols, conduct drills, and maintain NABH audit evidence. TMS Module: Quality & Patient Safety (Hinall HMS Module 12).
J – K
JCI
JCI is the international arm of the US-based Joint Commission, providing gold-standard hospital accreditation globally. JCI-accredited hospitals in India are recognised internationally for patient safety and quality. Hospital administrators seeking employment in JCI-accredited hospitals need expertise in international quality standards, clinical governance, and patient safety systems. TMS Module: Quality & Accreditation (Hinall HMS Module 12).
KPI
KPIs are measurable values that track how effectively a hospital or department meets its objectives. Common hospital KPIs include BOR, ALOS, patient satisfaction score, waiting time, HCAI rate, billing accuracy, and billing cycle time. Administrators compile KPI dashboards for management review and NABH reporting. TMS Module: Hospital MIS & Quality (Hinall HMS Module 11).
L
LAMA
LAMA is used interchangeably with DAMA (Discharged Against Medical Advice). It refers to a patient leaving the hospital before the doctor's recommended discharge. Administrators complete LAMA undertakings, update the HMS discharge module, notify the treating team, and finalise billing. LAMA documentation protects the hospital from medicolegal liability. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
LIS
LIS is software that manages laboratory operations — test ordering, specimen tracking, results entry, report generation, and billing integration. Hospital administrators interface LIS with the HMS so test orders from OPD/IPD flow directly to the lab and results return to the treating physician's workstation automatically. TMS Module: Laboratory Management (Hinall HMS Module 7).
M
Medicolegal
A medicolegal case is any medical case that has legal implications — RTA (road traffic accident), assault, poisoning, rape, suspected homicide, or unusual death. Hospital administrators ensure MLC documentation is complete, police intimation is done, treating doctors are notified, and all records are preserved for potential court proceedings. TMS Module: Medicolegal & Ethics (Hinall HMS Module 14).
MIS
Hospital MIS is the centralised reporting system that collects and presents operational data — OPD/IPD census, revenue, billing, pharmacy sales, HR statistics, quality indicators — for management decision-making. Administrators generate MIS reports daily, weekly, monthly, and annually using the HMS reporting module. TMS Module: Hospital MIS (Hinall HMS Module 11).
MLC
MLC is the formal designation assigned to any patient whose condition has legal implications. The hospital administrator registers the MLC in the HMS, assigns an MLC number, ensures police intimation (mandatory for specified cases), and safeguards all associated documentation. MLC management is a critical area of hospital administration training. TMS Module: Medicolegal (Hinall HMS Module 14).
MRD
MRD is the department that maintains all patient records — inpatient case sheets, OPD files, discharge summaries, investigation reports, and consent documents. MRD staff perform ICD coding, maintain medical record filing systems, process medicolegal record requests, and ensure records retention compliance. TMS Module: Medical Records (Hinall HMS Module 5).
N
NABH
NABH is India's premier hospital accreditation body under the Quality Council of India. NABH accreditation certifies that a hospital meets rigorous patient safety, quality, and operational standards across 100+ criteria. Most large private hospitals in Kerala are NABH accredited. Hospital administrators are responsible for NABH compliance documentation and audit preparation. TMS Module: Quality & NABH (Hinall HMS Module 12).
NABH 5th Edition
The NABH 5th Edition (2020) is the current accreditation standard for hospitals in India, with enhanced focus on clinical outcomes, patient experience, infection control, and documentation. Administrators preparing for NABH re-accreditation must ensure all departments comply with 5th Edition standards, which are stricter than previous versions. TMS Module: Quality & Accreditation (Hinall HMS Module 12).
NICU
The NICU is a specialised ICU for premature, critically ill, or surgically complex newborns. Hospital administrators manage NICU incubator allocation, specialised nurse staffing (1:1 ratio), equipment maintenance (warmers, phototherapy units, ventilators), billing for extended neonatal stays, and NABH neonatal care standards compliance. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
Nosocomial Infection
A nosocomial infection is one acquired within a hospital — typically 48+ hours after admission. Common types include CLABSI (central line bloodstream infection), CAUTI (catheter UTI), VAP (ventilator pneumonia), and SSI (surgical site infection). Administrators track and report nosocomial infection rates monthly and coordinate infection control committee responses. TMS Module: Quality & Infection Control (Hinall HMS Module 12).
O
OP
An OP (out-patient) is a patient who visits the hospital for consultation, diagnosis, or treatment without being formally admitted. OP management includes appointment scheduling, registration, token management, consultation billing, pharmacy dispensing, and investigation ordering. The OPD is typically the highest-footfall area in a hospital. TMS Module: OPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 2).
OPD
The OPD is the department where patients consult physicians without admission. It includes speciality consultation rooms, dressing rooms, injection rooms, and procedure areas. Hospital administrators manage OPD patient flow, queue management, appointment scheduling, billing counters, and doctor attendance. OPD efficiency directly impacts hospital revenue and patient experience. TMS Module: OPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 2).
OT
The OT is where surgical procedures are performed under sterile conditions. Hospital administrators manage OT scheduling, instrument set availability, pre-op patient preparation documentation, consent management, surgical team coordination, post-op billing, and infection control (including CSSD turnaround). OT management is complex and directly tied to hospital revenue. TMS Module: OT Management (Hinall HMS Module 4).
P
PACS
PACS is digital imaging software that stores, retrieves, manages, and distributes medical images (X-rays, CT scans, MRI, ultrasound) across the hospital network. Administrators interface PACS with HMS so radiology orders and reports are integrated with the patient record and billing. PACS eliminates film costs and enables remote radiologist reading. TMS Module: Radiology Management (Hinall HMS Module 7).
Par Level
Par level is the minimum stock quantity of a medical supply or medicine that must always be maintained in the hospital. When stock falls below the par level, automatic reorder is triggered. Administrators set par levels in the HMS stores module based on daily consumption data, lead time, and safety stock requirements. TMS Module: Stores & Procurement (Hinall HMS Module 10).
Payroll
Payroll is the complete process of calculating and disbursing employee salaries, including deductions for PF, ESI, TDS, and LOP (Loss of Pay for absences). Hospital HR administrators process monthly payroll through the HMS HR module, generate payslips, ensure statutory compliance, and transfer salaries. Payroll errors cause significant staff dissatisfaction and legal risk. TMS Module: HR & Payroll (Hinall HMS Module 8).
PCPNDT
PCPNDT Act (1994, amended 2003) regulates the use of ultrasound and other diagnostic techniques that can determine the sex of a foetus, with intent to prevent sex-selective abortion. Hospitals with ultrasound machines must register under PCPNDT, maintain Form F records for each scan, and undergo periodic government inspections. Administrators manage PCPNDT compliance. TMS Module: Medicolegal & Compliance (Hinall HMS Module 14).
PF
PF (EPF) is a mandatory retirement savings scheme requiring employers and employees each to contribute 12% of basic salary monthly to the EPFO. Hospital HR administrators manage PF registrations for new employees, monthly PF remittances via the EPFO portal, and UAN (Universal Account Number) linking for all staff. TMS Module: HR Management (Hinall HMS Module 8).
Pharmacovigilance
Pharmacovigilance is the science of monitoring, detecting, assessing, understanding, and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Hospital administrators manage the pharmacovigilance programme — ADR reporting systems, MedWatch submissions, pharmacy committee reviews, and NABH compliance for medication safety. TMS Module: Pharmacy Management (Hinall HMS Module 9).
PHI
PHI refers to any individually identifiable health information — name, diagnosis, medical record number, billing information — that is protected under health privacy laws (HIPAA in the US; the Digital Personal Data Protection Act in India). Hospital administrators manage access controls, data breach protocols, and staff training on PHI confidentiality. TMS Module: Health Information Management (Hinall HMS Module 5).
PM-JAY
PM-JAY is the health insurance component of Ayushman Bharat, covering ₹5 lakh per family per year for BPL and economically weaker families. Hospital administrators manage PM-JAY patient verification, pre-authorisation, cashless approval, claim submission through the NHA portal, and package rate reconciliation. In Kerala, PM-JAY integrates with the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP). TMS Module: TPA & Insurance (Hinall HMS Module 6).
Post-Mortem
A post-mortem is a medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death. Hospitals perform post-mortems in cases of unnatural or suspicious death, as required by police or the courts. Hospital administrators coordinate post-mortem scheduling, body transfer protocols, police documentation, and morgue management. TMS Module: Medicolegal (Hinall HMS Module 14).
Pre-Authorisation
Pre-authorisation is the advance approval from a TPA or insurer for a planned hospitalisation or procedure, confirming the patient's eligibility and the insurer's commitment to cover the costs. Hospital administrators complete pre-auth forms, attach clinical estimates, and communicate with TPAs to obtain cashless approval before the patient is admitted. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance (Hinall HMS Module 6).
Procurement
Procurement is the systematic process of sourcing, purchasing, and receiving goods and services — medicines, consumables, equipment, linen, housekeeping supplies — for the hospital. Administrators manage vendor empanelment, rate contract negotiations, purchase order generation, and GRN processing in the HMS purchase module. Efficient procurement directly reduces hospital operating costs. TMS Module: Stores & Procurement (Hinall HMS Module 10).
PRO
A PRO is a hospital staff member whose primary role is managing patient and family relations — handling complaints, providing information, facilitating communication between patients and clinical teams, and resolving service issues. PRO is a common placement role for TMS hospital administration graduates, especially in Kochi's large private hospitals. TMS Module: OPD Management & Patient Services (Hinall HMS Module 2).
R
RCM
RCM is the financial process covering all clinical and administrative functions related to capturing, managing, and collecting patient service revenue — from patient registration and eligibility verification through billing, coding, claim submission, and payment collection. Effective RCM is critical to hospital financial health. TMS Module: Finance & Billing / TPA (Hinall HMS Modules 6 & 15).
Reimbursement
Reimbursement is the insurance payment process where a patient first pays the hospital bill out-of-pocket and then claims the amount back from the insurer. Administrators assist patients with reimbursement documentation — original bills, discharge summary, investigation reports, and prescribed claim forms — and help avoid common submission errors. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance (Hinall HMS Module 6).
RIS
RIS is software that manages radiology workflow — scheduling, patient tracking, image management, report generation, and billing. RIS integrates with PACS (for image storage) and the HMS (for order flow and billing). Administrators ensure RIS-HMS integration is functioning to avoid billing gaps and delayed radiology reports. TMS Module: Radiology Management (Hinall HMS Module 7).
S
SLA
An SLA is a formal agreement between the hospital and a service vendor (housekeeping, biomedical maintenance, laundry, security) defining the expected service standards, response times, and penalty clauses for non-performance. Hospital administrators draft, monitor, and enforce SLAs for all outsourced services as part of operations management. TMS Module: Operations & Facilities (Hinall HMS Module 13).
SOP
SOPs are documented, step-by-step instructions for carrying out routine hospital processes consistently — patient admission, biomedical waste disposal, medication administration, fire evacuation, and hundreds more. Hospital administrators write, review, update, and train staff on SOPs as a core NABH requirement. Hinall HMS includes an SOP document management module. TMS Module: Quality & NABH (Hinall HMS Module 12).
Sterilisation
Sterilisation is the complete elimination of all microorganisms (including spores) from instruments and equipment. Methods include steam autoclaving (most common), ETO (ethylene oxide) gas for heat-sensitive items, and low-temperature plasma sterilisation. Administrators manage CSSD sterilisation cycle logs, Bowie-Dick tests, and equipment calibration records for NABH compliance. TMS Module: CSSD & Operations (Hinall HMS Module 13).
T
TAT
TAT is the time taken to complete a process from start to finish — lab report TAT, pharmacy dispensing TAT, emergency response TAT, discharge processing TAT. Hospital administrators monitor TAT against defined benchmarks (e.g., routine lab results <6 hours, emergency results <1 hour) and investigate delays as quality indicators. TMS Module: Quality & MIS (Hinall HMS Modules 11 & 12).
TOI
TOI is the average time a hospital bed remains vacant between one patient's discharge and the next patient's admission. Reducing TOI improves bed utilisation. Hospital administrators track TOI as part of bed management operations and work with housekeeping, nursing, and admissions to streamline bed turnover processes. TMS Module: IPD Management (Hinall HMS Module 3).
TPA
A TPA is an IRDAI-licensed intermediary that manages health insurance claims between policyholders, hospitals, and insurance companies. TPAs issue health cards, process cashless and reimbursement claims, and liaise between the hospital and insurer. Administrators manage the TPA desk, maintain empanelment with multiple TPAs, and track claim status through the HMS insurance module. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance (Hinall HMS Module 6).
TPA Empanelment
TPA empanelment is the process of a hospital getting registered with specific TPAs and insurance companies so patients covered by those insurers can avail cashless treatment. Administrators manage empanelment applications, maintain updated rate lists, and renew agreements annually. Being empanelled with major TPAs is essential for volume and revenue in private hospitals. TMS Module: TPA & Insurance (Hinall HMS Module 6).
V
VED Analysis
VED Analysis classifies medical and pharmacy inventory by clinical criticality: Vital items (must always be in stock — emergency drugs, life-saving equipment), Essential items (important but brief shortage tolerable), and Desirable items (convenience items, delay acceptable). VED is used alongside ABC analysis for comprehensive inventory control. TMS Module: Pharmacy & Stores Management (Hinall HMS Module 9).
How TMS Trains You on These Terms — in Live Hospital Software
Every term in this glossary connects to a real function in Hinall HMS — the hospital management system built by TreneyWann Technologies and deployed in actual hospitals. At Treneywann Management Studies (TMS), Vyttila Kochi, you don't just memorise glossary definitions — you operate them.
- BOR, ALOS, TAT, BTR — generated as live MIS reports in the HMS dashboard
- TPA pre-authorisation, cashless, reimbursement — processed in the HMS insurance module
- Duty roster, payroll, ESI, PF — managed in the HMS HR module
- ABC analysis, VED, GRN, par level — applied in the HMS stores module
- NABH, SOP, IPSG, HCAI — practised through the HLP 3D virtual hospital simulation
This is what makes TMS graduates job-ready from day one: they have operated the systems, not just read about them.
Ready to Learn Hospital Administration the Right Way?
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