GlossaryGuide

Etym. system – (n.) 1610s, “the whole creation, the universe,” from Late Latin systema “an arrangement, system,” from Greek systema “organized whole, a whole compounded of parts,” from stem of synistanai “to place together, organize, form in order,” from syn- “together.” Meaning “set of correlated principles, facts, ideas, etc.” first recorded 1630s.

Etym integration (n.) 1610s, from French intégration and directly from Latin integrationem (nominative integratio) “renewal, restoration.” Integrate – Meaning “to put together parts or elements and combine them into a whole” is from 1802. Related: Integrated; integrating.

Definition

• An engineering term meaning to bring together the component subsystems into one system that functions together. In health care, the ability to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes through re-engineering of care delivery processes.

• A category of simulation program accreditation that recognizes programs that demonstrate consistent, planned, collaborative, integrated, and iterative application of simulation-based assessment, research, and teaching activities with systems engineering and risk management principles to achieve excellent bedside clinical care, enhanced patient safety, and improved outcome metrics across the health care system(s) (Society for Simulation in Healthcare).