Definitions: B

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Background Check - is a search of a person's public records for the general purpose of finding (if any) violations of the law. Many companies offer this service to one degree or another including LexisNexis^® who is hired by CAREjourney.com^SM and others for this purpose. Care must be exercised when choosing a background check company.

CAREjourney.com^SM offers 2 levels of LexisNexis^® background checks as follows:

Level I - a LEVEL I background check includes a LexisNexis ^® Social Security Number Verification (SSNV) and LexisNexis^® National Criminal Reference File (NCRF) PLUS.

The SSNV confirms the validity of the SSN provided and verifies the name and address history given by the CareGiver. It also confirms the SSN has been validly issued and is not part of the Social Security Number Death Master Index. The SSNV helps confirm identity by showing that the name and addresses are tied to the individual in credit bureau files. It may identify other names or addresses that were not provided by the CareGiver. Addresses revealed by this search that were not provided by the CareGiver may be used to expand a criminal record search.

The NCRF PLUS check conducts a broad criminal record search that may be outside of addresses provided on the CareGiver's application. Subjects are searched against the criminal records database of more than 219,000,000 records utilizing sophisticated name logic algorithms and filtering applications to provide the most accurate match. Sources Include:

• Administrative Office of Courts
• Departments of Correction
• Individual County Courts
• State Specific Criminal Record Repositories
• LexisNexis^® Proprietary Records
• Sex offender Registries

The NCRF PLUS utilizes LexisNexis^® proprietary technology to instantly search for names associated with the CareGiver's social security number and then initiates a search against the NCRF database of criminal records using the given name and date of birth provided by the CareGiver, plus any additionally developed names that were identified associated with the CareGiver's Social Security Number (SSN).

While comprehensive, a LEVEL I search is only as good as the available data. The record data may take up to 6 months to be entered, if they make it into the database at all. A LEVEL I search is a very inexpensive, quick way to screen a potential CareGiver. Used in conjunction with a LEVEL II check, you have very powerful tools to accomplish your goals.

Level II - LexisNexis^® searches all counties the CareGiver has lived in over a 7 year time span. Court runners are physically sent to the Primary Index of the lower court and bring back any felony or misdemeanor records that are found. When a record is found at this level by LexisNexis^®, it is added to their NCRF database. For this reason, LexisNexis^® calls the LEVEL I background check a NCRF PLUS. However, these records might only be discovered by runnning a Level II check. This is why CAREjourney.com^SM recommends that a Care Receiver or Care Coordinator run a Level II check in addition to using other screening tools.

Background Criteria  - is a set of unacceptable violations that, if found, result in a "Did Not Pass" that is placed in the CareGiver's  profile. The CareGiver may give permission for a Care Receiver to view this profile along with the "Pass" or "Did Not Pass" indication. CareGivers are encouraged to write an explanation that can be placed in their profile if they receive a "Did Not Pass". The other indicator that might appear is "Working" or "In Process" which indicates that the background check is still in process.

The CareGiver will receive a "Did Not Pass" if the background check shows that there is a conviction, pending charge or active deferral program involving:

• Any theft or burglary including, but not limited to:
  • bad checks
  • burglary
  • forgery
  • fraud
  • receive/possess stolen property
  • identity related crimes
  • computer crimes
  • etc.
• Drug related charges including, but not limited to:
  • driving under the influence (DUI) drugs or alcohol
  • driving while intoxicated (DWI) drugs or alcohol
  • possession
  • consumption
  • sale
  • distribution
  • etc.
• Violence or threats including, but not limited to:
  • assault
  • battery
  • animal cruelty
  • fighting
  • stalking
  • harassment
  • threats
  • vehicular manslaughter
  • tampering
  • etc.
• Any weapons charges.
• Any sexual and sex related charges.
• Domestic including, but not limited to:
  • child or elder neglect
  • child or elder abuse
  • domestic violence
  • nonsupport child or spouse
  • etc.
• Property damage and disorderly conduct including, but not limited to:
  • disturbing peace
  • trespass
  • vandalism
  • etc.
• Criminal intent including, but not limited to:
  • false statement
  • false report
  • gambling
  • tampering
  • conspiracy
  • accessory
  • impersonating officer
  • warrant appearance
  • probation appearance
  • perjury
  • contempt
  • resist
  • obstruct
  • evade
  • flee
  • criminal tools
  • etc.
• Any felonies.

Even if it is expected that the CareGiver will receive a "Did Not Pass" it might still be beneficial to run a background check to give the CareGiver a chance to explain the particulars about why they did not pass. They can receive a copy of their report that can be forwarded to interested Care Receivers to show specifically why they received a "Did Not Pass" and allow them to explain the circumstances.

Whether you choose to perform a Level I, a Level II or both background checks, you should know that there are many other services out there besides LexisNexis ^® (although they are very widely known and trusted) and much more detailed background checks, for example, reference checks. Some of these you can perform yourself and others will have to be performed by a professional such as a credit check. In any case, you should choose the level of background check that you feel benefits your circumstances the most which might include a more detailed check than LexisNexis^® can offer.

Bacteria - one-celled forms of life that cause many diseases and infections.

Bed Bath - sometimes referred to as a sponge bath, this technique uses little water or soap and is applied with a hand towel or other appropriate method. Many pre-moistened wipes are available designed specifically for this purpose.

Bedbound - (also bedridden) unable to exit the bed under their own power or with the help of another. Feeding and toileting are performed in the bed.

Benign - is a medical term to describe a mild and non-progressive sickness. The term is most familiar as a description of a non-cancerous (non-malignant) tumor, but may also refer to other mild health conditions; means "of no danger to health".

Benzodiazepines - have varying sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties. These properties make benzodiazepines useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and as a pre-medication for medical or dental procedures.

Bereavement - refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a beloved.

Beta Cells - insulin-producing cells.

Biology - examines the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living things.

Bipolar Affective Disorder - (see bipolar disorder)

Bipolar Disorder - also known as manic depression, manic depressive disorder or bipolar affective disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Bladder - the muscular sac or container that stores urine until it is released from the body through the urethra.

Blog - blogs are areas on the Internet that authors of mostly short articles can publish their works and frequently they offer the opportunity for readers to comment about their article. CAREjourney.com^SM offers a public, CareGiver and Care Receiver blog that contains informative and thought provoking information about a variety of topics targeted to each of these groups. CAREguests and CAREmembers^SM are encouraged to comment and ask questions to the authors. CAREvisitors^SM must register and become a CAREguests^SM before they can comment and ask questions, but they can still read the blogs and others' comments and questions. 

Blood - the fluid circulating through the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins, carrying nutriment and oxygen to body cells, and removing waste products and carbon dioxide.

Blood Pressure - the pressure of blood against the walls of any blood vessel.

Blood Sugar - (also glucose) the amount of glucose in the blood.

Bone - any of the various structures that make up the skeleton in most vertebrates.

Bone Mineral Density - (BMD, also known as bone density) a measurement corresponding to the mineral density of bone, used to diagnose osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Bowel - (see large intestine)

Bowel Movement - discharge of waste matter from the large intestine.

Brain - specialized cells in its mass of soft gray or white tissue coordinate and regulate the functions of the central nervous system, integrating the functions of the body as a whole.

Breastbone - (see sternum)

Bronchi - (singular bronchus) is a passage of airway that conducts air into the lungs.

Bronchioles - are branches of the bronchi, and are smaller than one millimeter in diameter. The bronchioles end by entering the circular sacs called alveoli.

Bronchodilators - are substances that dilate the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing airway resistance and thereby facilitating airflow. Bronchodilators may be originating naturally within the body, or they may be medications administered for the treatment of breathing difficulties. They are most useful in obstructive lung diseases, of which asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the most common conditions. Bronchodilators are either short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting medications provide quick or "rescue" relief from acute symptoms. Long-acting bronchodilators help to control and prevent symptoms.

By-Product - materials generated as a result of the action of something else.

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These definitions are from sources deemed reliable but you should independently verify their accuracy.
If you click a link, you can go back by clicking your browser's back button or by pressing Alt, left arrow.

See a correction? Want us to add a definition? Tell us here.

Sources:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
http://www.webmd.com/