Industry Associations

Note: If entries in this list of associations are missing, incomplete, or incorrect please update it! We appreciate all contributions.

Acronym	Meaning	Mission
AAACN	American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing	Advance and influence the art and science of ambulatory care nursing, include telehealth nursing.
AAFP	American Academy of Family Physicians	To promote and maintain high quality standards for family doctors who are providing continuing comprehensive healthcare to the public.
AAHAM	American Association of Healthcare Administration Management	To be the premier professional organization in healthcare administration management. Through a national organization and local chapters, AAHAM provides quality member services and leadership in the ares of education, communication, representation, professional standards and cetification.
AAHC	American Association of Healthcare Consultants	The Mission of the AAHC is to serve as the preeminent credentialing, professional, and practice development organization for the healthcare consulting profession; to advance the knowledge, quality, and standards of practice for consulting to management in the healthcare industry; and to enhance the understanding and image of the healthcare consulting profession and Member Firms among its various publics.
AAHP	American Association of Health Plans	Now AHIP; see AHIP
AAMA	American Academy of Medical Administrators	Association for the healthcare leaders, to enhance their profession and community health, whose mission is to develop excellence in healthcare and leadership.
AAMC	Association of American Medical Colleges	The mission of the Association of American Medical Colleges is to improve the health of the public by enhancing the effectiveness of academic medicine.
AAMI	Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation	An alliance of over 6,000 members united by the common goal of increasing the understanding and beneficial use of medical instrumentation.
AAPPO	American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations	To advance and promote the PPO value proposition by providing the following programs and services: Inform and educate the public policy/regulatory arena about PPO business practices (Public Policy/Regulatory) Facilitate PPO best practices by developing and advancing PPO industry practices and guidelines (Forums/Publications/Website) Promote PPOs as the preferred health care solution through strategic communications outlets (Communications/Public Relations) Support PPO professional growth through comprehensive training programs to meet their ongoing needs (Training)
ACC	American College of Cardiology	To advocate for quality cardiovascular care - through education, research promotion, development and application of standards and guidelines, to influence healthcare policy.
ACCE	American College of Clinical Engineering	To establish a standard of competence and to promote excellence in clinical engineering practice. To promote safe and effective application of science and technology in patient care. To define the body of knowledge on which the profession is based To represent the professional interests of clinical engineers.
ACHCA	American College of Health Care Administrators	The college exists to promote excellence in leadership among long-term care administrators.
ACHE	American College of Healthcare Executives	To advance our members and healthcare management excellence through high ethical standards, pertinent knowledge, and a relevant credentialing program.
ACP-ASIM	American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine	To enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.
ACPE	American College of Physician Executives	An AMA recognized speciality society representing physicians in healthcare leadership. For more than 26 years, physicians nation-wide have chosen ACPE’s innovative educational and career development programs to build the knowledge and skills they need to shape the future of healthcare.
ACR	American College of Radiology	To serve patients and society by maximizing the value of radiology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine and medical physics by advancing the science of radiology, improving the quality of patient care, positively influencing the socio-economics of the practice of radiology, providing continuing education for radiology and allied health professions and conducting research for the future of radiology.
ADA	American Dental Association	The ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public’s oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards.
ADA	American diabetes Association	The mission of the Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
AFEHCT	Association for Electronic Health Care Transactions	To promote efficient, secure and cost effective health information data exchanges in an open electronic environment utilizing industry standards. We communicate usable and timely information about opportunities and obstacles in relevant healthcare policy formulation at the federal and state level to the healthcare vendor community and others who share its goals and interests, and try to influence legislative and regulatory policy making that will impact healthcare IT solutions associated with delivery, financing and administration of healthcare through informed advocacy.
AHA	American Hospital Association	To advance the health of individuals and communities. The AHA, leads, represents, and serves hospitals, health systems, and other related organizations that are accountable to the community and committed to health improvement.
AHCPR	Agency for Health Care Policy Research	see AHRQ.
AHIMA	American Health Information Management Association	A community of professionals engaged in health information management, providing support to members and strengthening the industry and profession. Provides career, professional development and practice resources Sets standards for education and certification Advocates public policy that advances HIM practice Facilitates member communication Promotes the contributions of its members
AHIP	American Health Insurance Plans	Our goal is to provide a unified voice for the healthcare financing industry, to expand access to high quality, cost effective health care to all Americans, and to ensure Americans’ financial security through robust insurance markets, product flexibility and innovation, and an abundance of consumer choice.
AHRMM	American Health Resource and Materials Management	To lead, educate and promote the healthcare resource and materials management profession by supporting our membership in the delivery of cost-effective, quality healthcare.
AHRQ	Agency for Healthcare Research and Policy	To improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare for all Americans.
AIM	Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility	To accelerate the growth and use of AIDC technologies and services
AMA	American Medical Association	From tobacco to adolescent health, from AIDS to Medicare, the American Medical Association speaks out on issues important to patients and the nation’s health.
AMCP	Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy	The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s (AMCP) mission is to empower our members to serve society by using sound medication principles and strategies to achieve positive patient outcomes.
AMDIS	Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems	"....premier professional organizations for physicians dedicated to apply information technology to improve the practice of medicine and advance the field of Applied Medical Informatics. AMDIS is the home for the "connected" CMIO."
AMGA	American Medical Group Association	AMGA advocates for the multispecialty medical group model of health care delivery and for the patients served by medical groups, through innovation and information sharing, benchmarking, leadership development, and continuous striving to improve patient care.
AMIA	American Medical Informatics Association	The purposes of AMIA shall be to advance the public interest through charitable scientific, literary, and educational activities, by promoting the development and application of medical informatics in the support of patient care, teaching, research, and health care administration.
AMP	Applied Measurement Professionals	Leading provider of licensing & certificaiton examinations for professional organizations.
ANA	American Nurses Association	Advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
ANC	AmeriNet Central	Supports health care providers of all sizes - from physician practices to IDNs - through group purchasing, education & data management & analysis.
ANIA	American Nursing Informatics Association	To provide networking, education and information resources that enrich and strengthen the roles of nurses in the field of informatics. The field of nursing informatics includes domains of clinical information, education and administration decision support.
ANSI	American National Standards Institute	To enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. Business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.
AONE	American Organization of Nurse Executives	To represent nurse leaders who improve healthcare. AONE members are leaders in collaboration and catalysts for innovation.
AORN	Association of Operating Room Nurses	To support registered nurses in achieving optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.
APhA	American Pharmacists Association	The American Pharmacists Association provides information, education, and advocacy to help all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care.
APHA	American Public Health Association	To improve the public’s health, promote the scientific and professional foundation of public health practice and policy, advocate the conditions for a healthy society, emphasize prevention and enhance the ability of members to promote and protect environmental and community health
API	Association for Pathology Informatics	To promote the field of pathology informatics as an academic and a clinical subspecialty of pathology.
ASC X12	Accredited Standards Committee X12	X12 brings together business and technical e-business professionals in an open, cross-industry setting to: Develop and maintain electronic data exchange standards, based on X12 EDI, XML, and UN/EDIFACT formats Collaborate with industry organizations to build best of breed standards for the global market
ASE	American Society of Echocardiography
ASHE	American Society of Healthcare Engineering	Advocate and resource for continuous improvement in the healthcare engineering and facilities management professions. Part of AHA.
ASHP	American Society of Health-System Pharmacists	To advance and support the professional practice of pharmacists in hospitals and health systems and serve as their collective voice on issues related to medication use and public health .
ASHRM	American Society for Healthcare Risk Management	To advance safe and trusted patient-centered healthcare delivery, ASHRM promotes proactive and innovative management of organization -wide risk.
ASTM	ASTM International	Providing the value, strength and respect of marketplace consensus. To be the foremost developer and provider of voluntary consensus standards, related technical information, and services having internationally recognized quality and applicability that: promote public health and safety, and the overall quality of life; contribute to the reliability of materials, products, systems and services; and facilitate national, regional, and international commerce.
ATA	American Telemedicine Association	ATA seeks to bring together diverse groups from traditional medicine, academic medical centers, technology and telecommunications companies, e-health, medical societies, government and others to overcome barriers to the advancement of telemedicine through the professional, ethical and equitable improvement in health care delivery.
ATSP	Association of Telehealth Service Providers	By anticipating industry and market demands, the ATSP expands opportunities for service providers, health care options for patients, and the potential for high-quality equipment, the Internet and telecommunications services. ATSP is a business-oriented trade organization structured to help health care professionals provide—and receive payment for—telehealth services.
AUPHA	Association of University Programs in Health Administration	Promote graduate and undergraduate curriculum reforms and faculty development, which respond to the changing needs of the health services delivery system, so as to imporve the health of communities. Promote the application of research findings to the educational setting and to the field of practice. Be a leader in transferring new pedagogical techniques and technology to health management education Provide student support, including scholarships, fellowships and other support which strengthens a diverse work Provide faculty with caretr enhancement activities and the skills required for effective teaching and continuing education efforts.
BIR	British Institute of Radiology
CAC	Citizen Advocacy Center	Provides training, research, conferences & networking for health care institutions’ public members & consumer representatives. These institutions include professional licensing boards, managed care plan boards & advisory committees, Quality Improvement Organizations, & other health care overight bodies.
CAP	College of American Pathologists	The College of American Pathologists, principle organization of board-certified pathologists, serves and represents the interests of patients, pathologists and the public by fostering excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine.
CARING	Capital Area Rountable on Informatics in Nursing	CARING is an organization advancing the delivery of quality healthcare through the integration of informatics in practice, education, administration, and research with a focus on nursing
CCHIT	Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology	to accelerate the adoption of health information technology by creating an efficient, credible and sustainable product certification program.
CDC	Centers for Disease Control	To promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
CHCA	Child Health Corporation of America	Business alliance of 41 of North America’s leading children’s hospitals that provides a range of products & services designed to reduce costs, increase revenue & enhance the competitive position of children’s hospitals. Programs & services include group purchasing & supply chain management, pediatric data management, performance improvement & patient safety initiatives, web-based training programs & strategic planning.
CHI	Consolidated Health Informatics	This initiative adopts a portfolio of existing health information interoperability standards (health vocabulary and messaging) enabling all agencies in the federal health enterprise to "speak the same language
CHIK	Communications for Healthcare Information	To create global communications mechanisms of choice for the Health ICT industry by: publishing regular health ICT industry newsletters; networking existing stakeholders and new market entrants; conducting primary and applied research; and enhancing the industry’s commercial and export potential.
CHIM	Center for Healthcare Information Management	Corporate members represent leading firms in the healthcare IT industry. Members seek to bring a greater understanding and awareness among healthcare professionals as to how IT can be harnessed to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare. Merged with HIMSS
CHIME	College of Healthcare Information Management Executives	To serve the professional needs of healthcare Chief Information Officers; and to advance the strategic application of information technology in innovative ways aimed at improving the effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
CHIN	Community Health Information Network
CHITTA	Canadian Healthcare Information Technology Trade Association	The mission of CHITTA is to strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s Healthcare Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry through cooperative efforts among and between members and through direct contact with all levels of Government and associated agencies.
CIHI	Canadian Healthcare Information Technology Trade Association	CIHI’s mandate was established jointly by federal and provincial/territorial ministers of health: to coordinate the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and integrated approach to health information for Canada; and to provide and coordinate the provision of accurate and timely data and information required for: establishing sound health policy; effectively managing the Canadian health system; and generating public awareness about factors affecting good health .
CITL	Center for Information Technology Leadership	To improve quality of care. Focus is on the impact that IT can have and to help healthcare providers make intelligent IT investments.
CLMA	Clinical Laboratory Management Association	Provides leadership in the clinical laboratory industry supporting laboratory professionals at every stage of their career.
CLSI	Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute organization
CMS	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services	To assure healthcare security for beneficiaries. In serving beneficiaries, we will open our programs to full partnership with the entire health community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving ehalth care system.
CNC	Center for Nursing Classification	Facilitate the continued dvelopment of nursing interventions classifications (NIC) and nursing outcomes classifications (NOC) to reflect current nursing practices. Conduct the review processes and procedures for updating the classifications. Produce and disseminate materials related to the Classifications. Provide office support to assist faculty investigators. Offer opportunities for students and fellows educationd and research.
COACH	Canada’s Health Informatics Association	Believes in the importance and the value of strategic alliances with other organizations involved in the field of health informatics in Canada and internationally. It is committed to building a strong international netrwork in health informatics through international organizations such as the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), and other national associations around the world.
COC	AHIMA’s Council on Certification	To ensure that its members meet professional standards of excellence, AHIMA issues credentials in health information management, coding, and healthcare privacy and security. Members earn credentials through a combination of education and experience, and finally performance on national certification exams. Following their initial certification, AHIMA members must maintain their credentials and thereby the highest level of competency for their employers and consumers through rigorous continuing education requirements.
COCIR	European Coordination Committee of the Radiological Electromedical and Medical Informatics Industries
CPRI	Computer-based Patient Record Institute	CPRI-HOST formed in 2000 with the merger of the Computer-based Patient Record Institute, which advocated widespread acceptance of electronic medical records; and Healthcare Open Systems and Trials, which worked to accelerate deployment of interoperable information systems. Merged with HIMSS
DARPA	Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency	To maintain the technological superiority of the U.S. military and prevent technological surprise from harming our national security by sponsoring revolutionary, high-payoff research that bridges the gap between fundamental discoveries and their military use
DHHS	Department of Health and Human Services	The United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
DICOM	Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine	The DICOM Standards Committee exists to create and maintain international standards for the communication of biomedical, diagnostic and therapeutic information in those medical disciplines that use digital images and associated data.
DoD	Department of Defense - Health Affairs	The department of defense health affairs mission is to enhance DoD and our nation’s security by providing health support for the full range of military operations and sustaining the health of all those entrusted to our care.
DRG	Deutsche Roentgengesellschaft
EAR	European Association of Radiology
ECR	European Congress of Radiology
ECRI	Emergency Care Research Institute	Our mission is to promote the highest standards of safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness in healthcare to benefit patient care through research, publishing, education, and consultation.
eHI	eHealth Initiative	The missions of both the eHealth Initiative and its Foundation for eHealth are the same: to drive improvement in the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through information and information technology.
EHRVA	Electronic Health Record Vendors Assocations	To provide a forum for the EHR vendor community relative to standards development, the EHR certification process, interoperability, performance and quality measures, and other EHR issues that may become the subject of increasing government, insurance and physician association initiatives and requests. Given the large number and variety of organizations that are becoming involved in EHR issues, having an EHR trade association is an effective way to provide undiluted input from a vendor community that offers significant experience and expertise.
ESC	European Society of Cardiology
FAH	Federation of American Hospitals	The principle objective of the Federation is to foster the public good through the creation and delivery of quality health care for all people.
FDA	Food and Drug Administration	Federal agency responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.
GAO	Government Accountability Office
GMSIH	Groupement pour la Modernisation du Système d'Information Hospitalier
HCCA	Health Care Compliance Association	To champion ethical practice and compliance standards in the health care community and to provide the necessary resources for compliance professionals and others who share these principles.
HCCA	Health Care Conference Administrators	Develops, organizes & administers conference, audioconferences, trade shows, courses, customized learning & education, & internet-based programming, alone, or in joint venture with or on behalf of sponsorign organizations. HCCA seeks to illuminate complez issues of health care practice & policy by bringing together leading-edge doers & thinkers - from operations to academia, from clinical practice to corporate management, from Main Street to Wall Street & from patient to politician. Since 1998, HCCA has offered conferences & symposia sponsored by over 150 health care association, organizations & publications & attended by approximately 25,000 registrants.
HCEA	Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association	To improve the effectiveness of all conventions, meetings and exhibitions for the healthcare industry
HDWA	Healthcare Data Warehousing Association	To facilitate greater use of analytical information systems that help lower health care costs and improve quality of care To advance the state of health care data warehousing and analytics by applying lessons and experience from other industries A lack of emphasis by other professional organizations on the operational issues affecting data warehousing in healthcare To assist other health care organizations that were just beginning or struggling to be successful with data warehousing and analytics To influence vendors-the fairness of their pricing, the quality of their products and services, their willingness to share our risk, and their understanding of issues unique to health care To facilitate the development of standards and best practices that could lower the costs of development and operation for Enterprise Data Warehouses in health care
HFMA	Healthcare Financial Management Association	The HFMA is an Association of individuals who are organized to improve financial management of healthcare institutions and related healthcare organizations .
HIAA	Health Insurance Association of America	Now AHIP; see AHIP
HIBCC	Health Industry Business Communications Council	To meet industry requirements and has involved HIBCC in a number of critical areas, including electronic data interchange message formats, bar code labeling data standards, universal numbering systems, and the provision of databases which assure common identifiers.
HIMA	Health Industry Manufacturers Association	To be the advocate for a legal, regulatory and economic climate that advances global health care by assuring worldwide patient access to the benefits of medical technology.
HIMSS	Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society	Healthcare Industry membership organization exclusively focused on providing leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology and management systems for the betterment of human health.
HISB	Health Informatics Standards Board	To facilitate, coordinate, harmonize and promote the development and use of national and international healthcare informatics standards.
HISPP	Health Informatics Standards Planning Panel	Same as HISB
HL7	Health Level Seven	To provide a comprehensive framework and related standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information that supports clinical practice and the management, delivery and evaluation of health services. Specifically, to create flexible, cost effective standards, guidelines, and methodologies to enable healthcare information system interoperability and sharing of electronic health records.
HLC	Healthcare Leadership Council	Providing access to health care for the uninsured, implementation of Medicare modernization, and medical liability reform are important HLC priorities, along with patient safety, patient privacy and addressing the health care workforce shortage.
ICN	International Council of Nurses	To represent nursing worldwide, advancing the profession and influencing health policy.
IEEE	Institute of Electrical & Electrictronic Engineers	World’s largest technical professional association, with more than 360,000 members in approx. 150 countries. The leading authority in technical areas ranging from computer engineering, biomedical technology and telecommunications, etc.
IETF	Internet Engineering Task Force
IHE	Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise	Promotes the engineering process of creating, developing, integrating, sharing, and applying knowledge about electro and information technologies and sciences for the benefit of humanity and the profession.
IIR	Institute for International Research	World’s leading knowledge & skills transfer company with a global network of 47 companies & 112 operating units. Works with business executives providing them with knowledge & skills through training, conferences, seminars, e-Learning, blended solutions, publications, exhibitions, consulting & mentoring.
IMIA	International Medical Informatics Association	The promotion of informatics in healthcare and biomedical research; advancement of international cooperation; stimulation of research, development and education with the dissemination and exchange of information. Inherent in this mission is to bring together, from a global perspective, scientists, researchers, vendors, consultants and suppliers in an environment of cooperation and sharing.
INCITS	InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards	To produce market-driven, voluntary consensus standards in the areas of: multimedia (MPEG/JPEG) intercommunication among computing devices and information systems(including the Information Infrastructure, SCSI interfaces, Geographic Information Systems), Storage media (hard drives, removable cartridges) database (including SQL3) security , and programming languages (such as C++)
IOM	Institute of Medicine	To serve as adviser to the nation to improve health. The Institute provides unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large.
IPEM	Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
ISO	International Organization for Standardization	Global Vision supports facilitation of global trade, improvement of quality, safety and security, environmental and consumer protection as well as the rational use of natural resources.Global dissimination of technologies and good practices.
ISQUA	International Society for Quality in Health Care	Quality practice and performance improvement underpin the work of the health care team across the entire continuum of care.
ISSA	Information Systems Security Assocation	The primary goal of the ISSA is to promote management practices that will ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information resources. The ISSA facilitates interaction and education to create a more successful environment for global information systems security and for the professionals involved
ITAC	Information Technology Association of Canada	The voice of the Canadian informaiton & communications technology industry. Brings together member representatives who have a particular interest in the role that ICT can play in helping transform health care delivery in Canada.
JAHIS	Japan Association of Healthcare Information Systems Industry
JCAHO	Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations	Mission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of healthcare accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in healthcare organizations.
JCR	Joint Commision Resources	Joint Commission Resources (JCR) is a client-focused, expert resource for health care organizations. It partners with these organizations, providing consulting services, educational services and publications to assist in improving the quality, safety and efficiency of health care services, and to assist in meeting the accreditation standards of the Joint Commission. JCR is an affiliate of JCAHO, but provides services independently and confidentially, disclosing no information about its clients to JCAHO or others.
JHITA	Joint Healthcare Information Technology Alliance	"To provide appropriate advocacy for legislation/regulation promoting the effective use of technology and its management, telecommunications, and business process re-engineering." "To be a dynamic force in our industry by developing jointly sponsored offerings including educational programs, market focus groups, research, services and activities relating to information technology and management, telecommunications, and business process re-engineering."
JPEG	Joint Photographic Experts Group
KITH	Kompetansesentret for IT i Helse
LOINC	Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes	The purpose of the LOINC database is to facilitate the exchange and pooling of results, such as blood hemoglobin, serum potassium, or vital signs, for clinical care, outcomes management, and research.
MEC	Medical Education Collaborative	Non-profit organization that works with other organizations to certify continuing medical education programs for credit. Mission is to imporve patient care & professional excellence by delivering certification services & continuing educaiton expertise that earn client loyalty.
MGMA	Medical Group Management Association	To improve the effectiveness of medical group practices and the knowledge and skills of the individuals who manage/lead them.
MLA	Medical Library Association	To improving excellence and leadership of the health information professional to foster the art and science of health information services.
MMA	Medical Marketing Association	Medical Marketing Association (MMA) provides a stimulating forum for the professional development of marketers of medical products and services. MMA is an association of members who make it their business to stay in touch with what’s happening in medical marketing today. Join with the industry leaders who have taken advantage of the power of MMA for over a quarter of a century. The MMA is the national organization devoted to the professional enhancement of its members. It is a non-profit organization comprised of over 1,200 medical marketers from the pharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, and marketing/advertising industries.
MRI	Medical Records Institute	To promote and enhance the journey towards electronic health records, e-health,& mobile health, and related applications of information technologies (IT).
MS-HUG	MicroSoft Healthcare Users Group	The mission of the Microsoft Healthcare Users Group, Inc. (MS-HUG) is to be the healthcare industry forum for exchanging ideas, promoting learning, and sharing solutions for information systems using Microsoft technologies. MS-HUG will leverage this forum to provide industry leadership, drive appropriate standards and develop associated requirements in support of healthcare solutions.
NAHDO	National Association for Health Data Organizations	to strengthening the nation’s health information system. NAHDO serves as a broker of expertise for the development and enhancement of statewide and national health information systems. NAHDO brings together a network of state, federal, and private sector technical and policy leaders and consultants to expand health systems development and shape responsible health information policies
NAHIT	National Alliance for Health Information Technology	The Alliance brings together teams of senior healthcare executives and enable them to optimize technology to realize highest level of patient care and financial performance. Working to accelerate standards initiatives through advocacy. 100 member organizations.
NAHQ	National Association for Healthcare Quality	To developing and promoting professional expertise in the art and science of healthcare quality.
NANDA	North American Nursing Diagnosis Association	To increasing the visibility of nursing’s contribution to patient care by continuing to develop, refine and classify phenomena of concern to nurses.
NCCA	National Commission for Certifying Agencies	The accreditation body of NOCA. Certifcation programs may apply & be accredited by NCCA if they demonstrate compliance with each accreditation standard. NCCA helps to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditaiton of a variety of certification programs/organizations that assess professional competency.
NCCLS	Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (new name effective January 2005)	Enhances the value of medical testing and healthcare services through the development and dissemination of consensus standards, guidelines, and best practices
NCEMI	National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics	To the advancement of Emergency Medicine through the application of information technology. At NCEMI, we believe that the greatest advances in medicine over the next two decades will result from the application of the tools and principles of information science to the problems of clinical medicine. New developments in informatics will drive advances in clinical care, medical administration, medical research, and medical education.
NCHICA	North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance, Inc	To improve healthcare in North Carolina by accelerating the adoption of information technology.
NCHS	National Center for Health Statistics	To provide statistical information that will guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people. As the Nation’s principal health statistics agency, NCHS leads the way with accurate, relevant, and timely data
NCPDP	National Council for Prescription Drug Program	Creates and promotes standards for the transfer of data to and from the pharmacy services sector of the healthcare industry. The organization provides a forum and support wherein our diverse membership can efficiently and effectively develop and maintain these standards through a consensus building process. NCPDP also offers its members resources, including educational opportunities and database services, to better manage their businesses.
NCQA	National Committee for Quality Assurance	To improve the quality of health care.
NCVHS	National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics	The Department is charged with monitoring and improving the state of the nation’s health and with epidemiological tracking and intervention, and must collect, analyze, and disseminate information on vital events, determinants of health, the extent and nature of illness and disability of the population, and the population’s well-being.
NEMA	National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
NHCAFA	National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association	To protect and serve the public interest by increasing awareness and improving the detection, investigation, civil and criminal prosecution and prevention of health care fraud.
NHII	National Health Information Infrastructure	see ONCHIT
NHIN	National Health Information Network	To strengthen the level of healthcare pharmacies provide and increase patient safety, convenience, and community pharmacy access.
NHS	NHS Information Authority
NICTIZ	Nationaal ICT Instituut in de Zorg
NIDSEC	Nursing Information and Data Set Evaluation Committee	Develops and disseminates standards pertaining to information systems that support the documentation of nursing practice, and evaluates voluntarily submitted information systems against these standards.
NIH	National Institutes of Health	The National Institutes of Health is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. It is an Agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NIST	National Institute of Standards and Technology	To develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life.
NITRD	National Coordination Office for Information Technology	To formulate and promote Federal information technology research and development to meet national goals.
NKF	National Kidney Foundation	The National Kidney Foundation, Inc., a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.
NLM	National Library of Medicine	The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world’s largest biomedical library. It educates users about available sources of information so that they may conduct their own research concerning medical topics. The Library acts as a supplemental resource after local, regional, and other national resources have been contacted. NLM also creates databases and databanks for your use.
NOCA	National Organization for Competency Assurance	The leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations. Through its annual conference, regional seminars, & publication, NOCA serves its membership as a clearinghouse for information on the latest trends & issues of concern to practitioners & organizations focused on certification, licensure, & human resource development.
NvvR	Nederlandse Vereniging voor Radiologie
OASIS	OASIS Consortium	OASIS is a non-profit, international consortium of suppliers and users of products and services that support open structured information standards (both de jure and de facto). OASIS is dedicated to accelerating the further adoption, application, and implementation of structured information standards. (b). OASIS provides its members with an open forum to discuss market needs and directions, and to recommend guidelines for product interoperability. The consortium receives, coordinates, and disseminates information describing structured information standards and related specifications, methods, recommendations, and technologies. (c). The work of OASIS complements that of standards bodies, focusing on making structured information standards easy to adopt and standards-based products practical to use, in real-world, open system applications
ONCHIT	Office of the National Health Informatics Infrastructure	Vision: Comprehensive knowledge-based network of interoperable systems; capable of providing information for sound decisions about health when and where needed
OSHA	Occupational Safety and Health Administration	To assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health
PHII	Public Health Informatics Institute	In working with our health information systems customers, we apply four guiding principles. Engage all stakeholders. Put the logical before the physical. Plan for interoperability. Manage for accountability.
PITAC	Presidents Information Technology Advisory Committee	Provides the President, congress and Federal agencies involved in IT research and development expert independent advice on IT reaserch and development.
RCR	Royal College of Radiologist
RSNA	Radiological Society of North America	To promote and develop the highest standards of radiology and related sciences through education and research.
SCAR	The Society for Computer Applications in Radiology	(SCAR changed name to SIIM in 2006)
SFIL	Société Française d'Informatique de Laboratoire
SFR	Société Française de Radiologie
SHS	The Society for Health Systems Engineers	To improve the health system through the professional development and advancement of management engineers and other professionals applying quantitative and analytical skills to healthcare processes.
SIIM	Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine	To advance computer applications and information technology in medical imaging through education and research. Both corporate and individual members.
SIR	Society of Interventional Radiology	To improve health and the quality of life through the practice of cardiovascular and interventional radiology.
SIRM	Società Italiana di Radiologia Medica
SNOMED	Systemated Nomenclature of Human and Veterinary Medicine	Advances excellence in patient care through the delivery of a dynamic and sustainable, scientifically validated terminology and infrastructure that enables clinicians, researchers, and patients to share healthcare knowledge worldwide, across clinical specialties, and sites of care.
VA	Department of Veteran’s Affairs	Our goal is to provide excellence in patient care, veterans’ benefits and customer satisfaction. We have reformed our department internally and are striving for high quality, prompt and seamless service to veterans. Our department’s employees continue to offer their dedication and commitment to help veterans get the services they have earned. Our nation’s veterans deserve no less.
W3C		A trademark of the World Wide Web Consortium, not an abbreviation
WEDi	Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange	To provide leadership and guidance to the healthcare industry on how to use and leverage the industry’s collective knowledge, expertise and information resources to improve the quality of healthcare.
ZVEI	Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie