Med Spa Playbook™ Glossary

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act. U.S. law requiring accessibility compliance in public spaces, including medical and aesthetic facilities.

CEO – Chief Executive Officer. The highest-ranking executive responsible for overall business strategy and leadership.

CFO – Chief Financial Officer. Oversees financial planning, reporting, and long-term fiscal strategy.

COO – Chief Operating Officer. Manages daily operations, staff, and system execution across locations.

EMR – Electronic Medical Record. A digital system used to manage patient information, treatment notes, and medical documentation securely.

FDD – Franchise Disclosure Document. A legal document franchisors must provide to potential franchisees, outlining business details, fees, and obligations.

HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Federal law protecting patient privacy and governing secure handling of medical data.

HR – Human Resources. The department or function managing employee recruitment, training, payroll, compliance, and workplace culture.

IP – Intellectual Property. Refers to proprietary brand assets like logos, trademarks, copyrighted materials, and business methods.

KPI – Key Performance Indicator. A measurable value used to track and evaluate the success of a business activity (e.g., monthly revenue, client retention, profit margin).

LLC – Limited Liability Company. A business structure that combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax flexibility of a partnership.

MD – Medical Doctor. A licensed physician required for medical oversight in most med spa models and MSO arrangements.

MSO / MD Model – Management Services Organization. A legal structure allowing non-medical owners to operate a med spa in partnership with a licensed physician who provides medical oversight.

OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Federal agency ensuring safe working conditions and staff compliance with safety protocols.

POS – Point of Sale. The system used to process client payments and manage retail or treatment transactions.

ROI – Return on Investment. A performance metric used to measure profitability compared to the initial cost of an investment.

SOP – Standard Operating Procedure. A documented process outlining step-by-step instructions for consistent operations, safety, and compliance.

Telemedicine – A remote medical oversight model that allows physicians to review patient charts, consents, and treatment plans virtually in compliance with state laws.

Vendor – A verified supplier providing medical equipment, skincare products, injectables, or operational supplies to your med spa.

Franchisee – An individual or entity granted the right to operate under your franchise brand using your business systems, trademarks, and support structure.

Franchisor – The company (you) that owns the brand, provides the franchise system, and supports franchisees under an established agreement.