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MHS Health Care Glossary

Military Health System Health Care Glossary serves as the official repository and consolidated reference (as a secondary source) for terms and definitions used within the MHS. Some terms may have multiple and varying definitions based on the context and primary source of authority. Note that certain definitions may be approved only for limited use in a single primary reference document, while others may have broad applicability in multiple contexts and issuances. To determine the most appropriate definition in a particular context, consult all relevant source documents. Any disparities between this Glossary and primary sources are unintentional, and the primary source shall control.

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Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Grade

A step or degree in a graduated scale of office or military rank that is established and designated as a grade by law or regulation.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Rating

The name (e.g., “Boatswain’s Mate”) prescribed for service members of a military service in an occupational field.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Office

A position of duty, trust, and authority to which an individual is appointed.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Persistent

Twelve months, or less if reasonably anticipated to exceed 12 months.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Garrison Conditions

Routine operational environment at a fixed health care facility with an established scope of service, standard operating procedures, and permanent staff. 

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Medical Condition

Any disease or residual of an injury that results in a lessening or weakening of the capacity of the body or its parts to perform normally, according to accepted medical principles.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Heat Stroke

A syndrome of hyperthermia (core temperature at time of event usually ≥40o C or 104o F), physical collapse or debilitation, and encephalopathy as evidenced by delirium, stupor, or coma, occurring during or immediately following exertion or significant heat exposure. It can be complicated by organ or tissue damage, systemic inflammatory activation, and ...

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Heat Injury

Heat exhaustion with clinical evidence of organ or muscle damage without sufficient neurological symptoms to be diagnosed as heat stroke.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Operational Healthcare Units

Those deployable units that while at home station are treating only active duty personnel and Reserve Component members on duty status and not a component of an accredited Military Treatment Facility.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Heat Exhaustion

A syndrome of hyperthermia (core temperature at time of event usually ≤40o C or 104o F) with physical collapse or debilitation occurring during or immediately following exertion in the heat, with no more than minor central nervous system dysfunction (e.g., headache or dizziness).

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Covered Personnel

Individuals who have been identified as HIV-positive, are asymptomatic, and who have a clinically confirmed undetectable viral load.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Trial of Duty

Service-defined assessment of a service member’s ability to perform the duties of their office, grade, rank, or rating, considering their physical and psychological demands and tasks, medical history, and prognosis.

Glossary Term
Sep 4, 2020

Medically Required

A medically necessary health care treatment or supply for which there is no medically appropriate substitute that can meet operational requirements.

Glossary Term
Feb 7, 2020

Medical Readiness

Applied to medical personnel, this includes all of the clinical and nonclinical individual and team requirements necessary to accomplish the deployed mission.

Glossary Term
Feb 7, 2020

Direct Care

Medical care provided to Service members and beneficiaries from health care facilities and medical support organizations owned by the DOD.

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