Terms, pronunciations and meanings
The words of Health's Work and of the health-facility field, in plain language. Health's Work terms are marked as such; industry terms are explained as they are used in the standard. Each entry links to the provision where the term is set out.
The standards body that writes, edits and publishes the Health's Work Standard, and the public reader at healthscode.org where the standard, the Corpus Index and this glossary are free to read.
NoteHealth's Code holds the standard; Health's Work uses it. Final editorial authority rests with the Chief Editor.
The company and platform at healthswork.org that awards the HWA credential and the HWC, HWM and HWO certifications, all built on the Health's Work Standard.
The mark of Health's Work certification: a beveled star of eight points, four long and four short. The large star appears at every level; the level is shown by one, two or three small stars beneath it.
NoteThe star never appears alone. It is always shown with the Health's Work name, the program and the level.
The professional credential of Health's Work, in five levels: HWA (Foundation), HWA-I (Practitioner), HWA-II (Advanced), HWA-III (Expert, license-eligible) and HWA-IV (licensed). A specialty may follow the level, as in HWA-II-MS.
NoteHWA-IV is held only by a licensed professional and is suspended if the license lapses.
Certification of a building as designed, built and commissioned. It is awarded once and stays as awarded for the life of the building. Levels: Certified, then one, two or three stars.
NoteHWC is the plate. What happens after opening is rated under HWM and HWO.
Certification of a building as operated and maintained. It is renewed every year on an annual performance report and re-verified on site by an independent reviewer at least every three years. Levels: Maintained, then one, two or three stars.
Certification of a building in operation as patients, families and visitors experience it: arrival, comfort, access, waiting, courtesy, clarity, billing and follow-up, measured on independent surveys. It is renewed every year. Levels: Operated, then one, two or three stars.
NoteHWO never rates licensed clinical judgment, clinical care or clinical outcomes.
The minimum standard for health facilities. It contains requirements only, written in "shall" language so that a jurisdiction or an owner can adopt it as written. It covers a facility from planning and design through construction, commissioning, and operation and maintenance for the life of the building.
NoteWrite the full name first. HWS is not HSW (health, safety and welfare), the continuing-education category for licensed professionals.