A

allergy list

A series of allergies from which a patient suffers.

Apache Maven

A build management tool used for OpenMRS development.

Apache Tomcat

An open-source web server developed by the Apache Software Foundation, packaging together Java Servlet, JavaServer Pages, Java Expression Language and Java WebSocket technologies.

attribute

A data point about a patient that is used to describe them. Examples of person attributes include birthdate (which never changes) or marital status (which rarely changes).

B

Bamboo

A continuous Integration (CI) tool used by OpenMRS.

bug

A repeatable error or flaw in a program that causes an unexpected or incorrect result. 

bundled module

An OpenMRS module that is prepackaged with an OpenMRS release.

C

clinician

A doctor, nurse, or another clinical officer who provides health care to patients.

cohort

A group of patients that can be defined by one or more common traits.

contributor

Any community member who participates and contributes towards the OpenMRS community. 

Core

The source code for the OpenMRS API and core modules. The core does not include the source code for other, optional modules.

concept

The fundamental unit of capturing clinical information within OpenMRS. Concepts represent a single idea and include both questions and answers. "cough", "address", "duration", and "yes" are a few examples.

concept dictionary

A list of all the medical and program-related terms used in OpenMRS as questions and answers.

Crucible

An on-premises code review tool made by Atlassian.

customization

The idea of adapting a system to suit one's specific, particular needs.

D

Direct Web Remoting

Java open-source library to convert Java objects to Javascript and vice versa for AJAX.

E

Eclipse

A multi-language, open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) recommended for OpenMRS development 

electronic medical record (EMR) 

A digital version of a paper chart/document used to record patient data.

electronic medical record system

A computer system that allows for recording, storage, and retrieval of Electronic Medical Records.

encounter

A clinical transaction in which a group of data (e.g., observations, notes, and orders) are recorded. Encounters generally involve one (or a few) providers. Examples include the paper "encounter form" with which OpenMRS started, an order entry session, a daily note & associated orders written for patient while they are in the hospital, etc.

F

F/LOSS, FOSS, etc.

Free/libre and open-source software. Software is freely licensed to use, copy, change and distribute. OpenMRS is licensed under the OpenMRS Public License based on the Mozilla Public License. 

Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources

A data format and resource standard proposed by Health Level 7 (HL7) for exchanging electronic health records.

form

An electronic form that may be used to enter or view data for a patient.

G 

Git Bash

Git Bash is an application that provides Git command line experience on the Operating System(windows)

Git

A distributed version control system (DVCS) that allows multiple developers to work simultaneously on a project without the need for a common network connection. 

GitHub

A web-based hosting service for software development projects that use the Git revision control system. The OpenMRS source code is hosted on GitHub at http://github.com/openmrs

Groovy

A computer scripting language that allows automation and quick performance of tasks.

H

Hibernate

An object-relational mapping (ORM) library for the Java language used by OpenMRS.

HL7

An abbreviation of Health Level Seven, a nonprofit committee dedicated to the standardization for exchanging information between medical applications.

I

implementer

Someone who has or is in process of deploying OpenMRS in a specific location or context of use.

informatics

The application and study of information technology and its use for society.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

An online tool to communicate with others in "real-time". OpenMRS uses IRC to allow developers and implementers to collaborate and meet. http://go.openmrs.org/irc

J

JavaMelody

An open-source application to monitor Java or Java EE applications in QA and production environments

Jetty

A development-oriented J2EE server and javax.servlet packaged with OpenMRS Platform 1.8+.

JIRA

An issue tracking /project management tool used by OpenMRS. Accessible at: https://issues.openmrs.org/

jQuery

The recommended Javascript framework included with OpenMRS.

jRebel

A Java development-time tool that decreases turnaround by instantly reloading changes to your code, without having to restart the container or redeploy the application. 

K

L

Liquibase

An open-source library for tracking changes within a database.

M

mailing list

A collection of names and addresses used by a company to send material to multiple recipients. On the internet, mailing lists include each person's e-mail address rather than a postal address.

medical informatics

A discipline of studying the use of informatics in the field of medical science.

module

A software package that extends or changes OpenMRS functionality in specific ways. Modules have full access to the system and allow for the customization of OpenMRS. Most modules are developed by community members. 

module directory

An online resource to find and maintain community-developed OpenMRS add-on modules (now referred to as the OpenMRS Add-ons index). https://addons.openmrs.org/

MySQL

An open-source relational database management system (RDMS) popular with web applications and used by OpenMRS. 

N

O

observation

An atomic unit of information that is recorded about a patient at a moment in time.

Open Source

A method of developing software where the source code is freely available for others to examine, use, and build upon. Also a type of software development community based around sharing of work and collaboration.

P

platform

A computer system that is simple by design, and is intended to be customized and adapted for use in a wide variety of contexts.

point of care

Data entered into the electronic system during clinical visit/encounter.

privilege

Defines what actions an authenticated user is allowed to perform within OpenMRS. 

program

A program of care which a patient can be enrolled in. A program consists of one or more workflows.

provider

A clinician who is responsible for providing care to a patient.

Q

R

retrospective

Paper form filled out during clinical visit/encounter. Data is copied from paper to an electronic system at a later time, usually by a different person in a different room or facility.

S

sample data

Fictional, anonymized information representing patient care within OpenMRS. Some versions of the software include anonymized data to make it easier to plan an OpenMRS implementation.

Sonar

An open-source platform used to check code quality

Spring Framework

An open-source application framework and inversion of control container used by OpenMRS.

sprint

A semi-agile process adopted by OpenMRS for implementing new features in a coordinated and speedy manner.

super user

An OpenMRS user with permission to perform all management tasks in the application.

system administrator

A person who is responsible for day-to-day maintenance of a computer system or network.

T

U

user

A person who uses OpenMRS, or more specifically the data in the system representing that person.

V

visit

A visit encompasses one or more encounters to describe an event where the patient has interacted with the healthcare system. Visits may occur within minutes/hours or may extend over days, weeks, or even months. Examples of visits include an outpatient (clinic) visit, a hospitalization, or a visit to the lab. 

W

wiki

A website containing documentation and other resources for a project or organization.

workflow

A series of tasks to accomplish a goal.

X

Y

YourKit

A CPU and memory Java Profiler with J2EE/J2ME support and IDE integration for various major Java IDEs.

Z

Index