Glossary
The words of the French health system, explained once and for all: those found on prescriptions, health insurance letters and hospital discharge notes.
A
- Anticoagulant
- A medicine that slows blood clotting to prevent a clot. It requires watching for bleeding and, for some, regular blood tests.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Preparing the home before leaving hospitalPressure sores and falls: the two risks that unfold between visits
C
- Care protocol
- A written, dated description of how a specific patient's care must be delivered: products, supplies, frequency, alert criteria.
- Insulin, dressings, syringes: where and how to store themPressure sores and falls: the two risks that unfold between visitsReferring a patient: how the practice works with doctorsHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityLocum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, termsChronic wounds at home: what the nurse does, week by weekInsulin-treated diabetes: what a nursing visit changesHome infusion and IV antibiotics: what actually happensPalliative care at home: what gets organised, and by whom
- CPS card
- The health professional's personal electronic identity card, required to submit electronic claims and to access national digital health services.
- Official source (official site, new tab)How home nursing works in FranceHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityLocum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, termsProfessional secrecy at home: who knows what, and how far
D
- Direct billing
- You do not pay upfront: the professional is paid directly by health insurance and, where applicable, by the top-up insurer.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Home nursing care: what French health insurance coversHow home nursing works in FranceHome nursing service, hospital-at-home or private nurse: who does what
F
- Fee retrocession
- The share of fees a locum pays back to the practice being covered, set by the locum contract.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Locum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, terms
H
- Handover notes
- The written record of a visit: what was done, what was observed, what must be watched. The shared memory of the care episode.
- Preparing the home before leaving hospitalHow we work with your GPReferring a patient: how the practice works with doctorsHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityLocum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, termsChronic wounds at home: what the nurse does, week by weekInsulin-treated diabetes: what a nursing visit changesHome infusion and IV antibiotics: what actually happensHospital discharge: arranging the nursing handover at homeHome blood draws: what really decides whether a result is reliableCaring for a relative without burning out: what can be handed overProfessional secrecy at home: who knows what, and how farPalliative care at home: what gets organised, and by whom
- HbA1c
- Glycated haemoglobin: reflects diabetes control over the past two to three months, unlike a single blood glucose reading.
- Insulin-treated diabetes: what a nursing visit changesHome blood draws: what really decides whether a result is reliable
- Home hospitalisation (HAD)
- A structure delivering hospital-level care at the patient's home, with its own medical coordination.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Preparing the home before leaving hospitalHow home nursing works in FranceReferring a patient: how the practice works with doctorsHome infusion and IV antibiotics: what actually happensHospital discharge: arranging the nursing handover at homeCaring for a relative without burning out: what can be handed overHome nursing service, hospital-at-home or private nurse: who does whatPalliative care at home: what gets organised, and by whom
I
- IDEL (self-employed nurse)
- A state-registered nurse working independently under agreement with the French health insurance system, providing care at patients' homes.
- Official source (official site, new tab)How home nursing works in FranceHome nursing service, hospital-at-home or private nurse: who does what
- Implantable port
- A small device placed under the skin and connected to a deep vein, used for repeated treatments (chemotherapy, antibiotics, nutrition).
- Home infusion and IV antibiotics: what actually happens
- INR
- A blood test measuring clotting, used to adjust the dose of vitamin-K antagonist anticoagulants.
- Preparing the home before leaving hospitalHome blood draws: what really decides whether a result is reliable
L
- Long-term condition (ALD)
- A chronic condition recognised by French health insurance, granting 100 % cover for care related to that condition.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Home nursing care: what French health insurance coversThe nursing care assessment: what actually happens at homeHow home nursing works in FranceChronic wounds at home: what the nurse does, week by weekInsulin-treated diabetes: what a nursing visit changesCaring for a relative without burning out: what can be handed overPalliative care at home: what gets organised, and by whom
M
- Mon espace santé
- The patient's national digital health record, including a shared medical file and secure messaging. The patient controls who can access it.
- Official source (official site, new tab)How we work with your GPVaccination at home: what a nurse can doHow home nursing works in FranceHome blood draws: what really decides whether a result is reliableProfessional secrecy at home: who knows what, and how far
- MSSanté
- The French secure health messaging system, used to exchange health data between professionals, and with patients, outside ordinary email.
- Official source (official site, new tab)How we work with your GPHow home nursing works in FranceReferring a patient: how the practice works with doctorsHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityHospital discharge: arranging the nursing handover at homeProfessional secrecy at home: who knows what, and how far
N
- NGAP
- The official list of nursing procedures and their billing codes, which determines what can be invoiced to French health insurance.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Home nursing care: what French health insurance coversThe nursing care assessment: what actually happens at homeHow home nursing works in France
- Nursing care assessment (BSI)
- A structured assessment of autonomy and needs for dependent people aged 90 and over, which replaces the former care plan and sets the daily care package.
- Official source (official site, new tab)The nursing care assessment: what actually happens at homeReferring a patient: how the practice works with doctors
- Nursing council (CDOI)
- The departmental nursing council: registers professionals, reviews contracts and enforces the code of ethics.
- Official source (official site, new tab)How the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityLocum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, terms
P
- PRADO
- The health insurance discharge support programme: an adviser arranges the first community appointments from the hospital before discharge.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Preparing the home before leaving hospitalHow home nursing works in FranceHospital discharge: arranging the nursing handover at home
- Prescription
- A doctor's written order stating the procedure, frequency and duration. Without it, nursing care cannot be delivered or reimbursed, apart from procedures allowed in direct access.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Preparing the home before leaving hospitalHome nursing care: what French health insurance coversHow we work with your GPThe nursing care assessment: what actually happens at homeVaccination at home: what a nurse can doHow home nursing works in FranceReferring a patient: how the practice works with doctorsChronic wounds at home: what the nurse does, week by weekInsulin-treated diabetes: what a nursing visit changesHome infusion and IV antibiotics: what actually happensHospital discharge: arranging the nursing handover at homeHome blood draws: what really decides whether a result is reliableHome nursing service, hospital-at-home or private nurse: who does whatPalliative care at home: what gets organised, and by whom
- Pressure sore
- Damage to skin and tissue caused by prolonged pressure on a support area (sacrum, heels, hips), common with immobility.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Pressure sores and falls: the two risks that unfold between visitsChronic wounds at home: what the nurse does, week by week
R
- RPPS number
- The shared directory of health professionals: a unique, permanent and verifiable identifier for each professional.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Referring a patient: how the practice works with doctorsHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityLocum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, termsProfessional secrecy at home: who knows what, and how far
S
- SESAM-Vitale
- The electronic claims system: the patient's Vitale card and the professional's CPS card jointly sign an invoice sent to the health fund with no paperwork.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Home nursing care: what French health insurance coversHow home nursing works in FranceHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityLocum work at the practice: the round, tools, contract, terms
- Sharps waste (DASRI)
- Infectious healthcare waste — needles, syringes, lancets — collected in an approved yellow container, never in household waste.
- Official source (official site, new tab)Insulin, dressings, syringes: where and how to store themVaccination at home: what a nurse can doHow the practice is organised: protocols, hygiene, traceabilityChronic wounds at home: what the nurse does, week by weekInsulin-treated diabetes: what a nursing visit changesHome infusion and IV antibiotics: what actually happensHome blood draws: what really decides whether a result is reliable
- SSIAD
- A home nursing service providing prescribed care and personal hygiene support for older or disabled people.
- Official source (official site, new tab)How home nursing works in FranceHospital discharge: arranging the nursing handover at homeCaring for a relative without burning out: what can be handed overHome nursing service, hospital-at-home or private nurse: who does what
These definitions explain administrative and care terms. They do not replace medical advice or your own prescription.