e-UKCG key terms

The proportion of people who truly have a condition and are correctly identified as positive by a test. A highly sensitive test is useful for ruling a condition out when the result is negative.

The proportion of people without a condition who are correctly identified as negative by a test. A highly specific test is useful for confirming a condition when the result is positive.

The probability that a person with a positive test result actually has the condition. It depends on disease prevalence in the tested population as well as test accuracy.

The proportion of a defined population that has a condition at a given point in time. It influences predictive values and the usefulness of screening tests in that population.

The number of patients who must receive an intervention for one additional patient to gain the intended outcome. It is the reciprocal of the absolute risk reduction.

The arithmetic difference in outcome rates between a control group and a treated group. It reflects real-world benefit better than relative risk reduction and allows calculation of number needed to treat.

A range of values within which the true population estimate probably lies, usually stated at 95 percent confidence. A wide interval signals imprecision and greater uncertainty about the result.

An analysis that includes every participant in the group to which they were randomised, regardless of whether they completed or adhered to treatment. It preserves the benefits of randomisation and gives a pragmatic estimate of effect.

The process of allocating participants to intervention groups by chance, so that known and unknown confounders are distributed evenly. It is the defining feature that allows causal inference from a trial.

A third factor associated with both the exposure and the outcome that distorts the apparent relationship between them. It can be reduced by randomisation, restriction, matching, or statistical adjustment.

A systematic error in study design, conduct, or analysis that produces results deviating from the truth in a consistent direction. Unlike random error, it is not reduced by increasing sample size.

The tendency for studies with positive or statistically significant findings to be published more often than negative studies. It can make systematic reviews overestimate the effectiveness of an intervention.

A statistical technique that pools results from multiple studies to produce a combined estimate of effect. It increases precision but is only as reliable as the quality and comparability of the included studies.

A patient's voluntary agreement to an investigation or treatment after receiving and understanding material information about its purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives. It requires capacity and can be withdrawn at any time.

The ability to make a particular decision at a particular time, assessed by understanding, retaining, and weighing relevant information and communicating a choice. It is decision-specific rather than global.

The legal and ethical standard used to make decisions on behalf of an adult who lacks capacity for that decision. It considers the person's wishes, values, and least restrictive option, and requires consultation with relevant others.

A situation where a person is under continuous supervision and control and is not free to leave, applied to someone who lacks capacity. It requires legal authorisation and safeguards to protect the person's rights.

A professional and legal duty to be open and honest with patients when something has gone wrong in their care, including apologising and explaining what happened and what will be done.

A serious patient safety incident that is wholly preventable if existing guidance or safety recommendations are followed, such as wrong-site surgery or retained foreign objects. All are reportable and trigger investigation.

A structured team review of an incident or near miss to identify contributing factors and system changes that could prevent recurrence. It focuses on learning rather than blaming individuals.

A drug associated with a heightened risk of serious harm when used in error, such as insulin, anticoagulants, opioids, or concentrated electrolytes. Such medicines require specific prescribing, checking, and monitoring safeguards.

A clinically significant mistake in choosing, dosing, or documenting a medicine, such as a wrong dose, omitted allergy, or harmful interaction. Reducing them relies on careful history taking and systematic checking.

Prescribing a licensed medicine outside the terms of its marketing authorisation, for example for a different indication, dose, or age group. It may be justified when supported by evidence, with the patient informed of the uncertainty.

The margin between a drug's therapeutic dose and its toxic dose. A narrow index, as with lithium, digoxin, or warfarin, means small changes in plasma level can cause serious harm, so monitoring is essential.

A structured communication tool covering Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It is used to hand over clinical information concisely between clinicians or teams, particularly when escalating concern about a deteriorating patient.

A technique in which a message is sent, repeated back by the receiver, and confirmed by the sender. It reduces error in high-pressure settings such as resuscitation and theatre.

The study of how human capabilities and limitations interact with systems, equipment, and environments. Applying it to healthcare design reduces error, improves teamwork, and builds safer processes.

A collaborative process in which clinician and patient discuss options, benefits, harms, and the patient's values, then agree a plan together. It supports patient-centred care and informed consent.

A tool such as a leaflet, chart, or website that presents the benefits and harms of options in accessible terms. It supports shared decision making by improving patient understanding of trade-offs.

A collaborative, goal-oriented conversation style that strengthens a person's own motivation and confidence to change behaviour. It uses open questions, reflective listening, and affirmation rather than advice-giving or confrontation.

A scoring system based on routine observations such as respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulse, and consciousness. Rising scores prompt escalation of care for a deteriorating patient.

A bundle of six early actions for suspected sepsis: oxygen if needed, blood cultures, intravenous antibiotics, intravenous fluids, lactate measurement, and urine output monitoring. Timely completion improves survival.

An abrupt decline in kidney function, detected by a rise in creatinine or fall in urine output. Management includes treating the cause, stopping nephrotoxic drugs, and correcting fluid balance.

A serum potassium concentration above the normal range, which can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Emergency treatment includes calcium gluconate for cardiac protection and measures to shift or remove potassium.

A pregnancy-specific disorder of new hypertension with proteinuria or other organ dysfunction after 20 weeks' gestation. It can progress to eclampsia and requires close monitoring and timely delivery.

A severe variant of pre-eclampsia characterised by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. It carries high maternal and fetal risk and often requires urgent delivery.

Excessive bleeding after childbirth, conventionally more than 500 mL after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL after caesarean. Causes follow the four Ts: tone, trauma, tissue, and thrombin.

The action taken to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It includes recognising warning signs, sharing information appropriately, and referring to statutory agencies.

The legal test of whether a child under 16 has sufficient understanding and intelligence to make a particular healthcare decision. When competent, the child may consent without parental involvement.