IPH - Hour 3 - Abbreviations

Textbook Readings

Wilkinson and Van Leuven: Page 493

Abbreviations are a shorthand way of writing information. Many medication errors have been made because of misinterpreted abbreviations. The Institute for Safe Medications Practice (ISMP), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) all joined forces to identify abbreviations that lead to errors. These abbreviations are now prohibited from use in health care documentation. It's not okay to use an abbreviation just because you see it being used. Always check with your facility's Approved Abbreviations List before using any abbreviation.

The following are just of few of the more common abbreviations used with medication administration. These abbreviations remain acceptable in most health care facilities. You will learn other standard abbreviations throughout your studies. Most abbreviations can be either upper-case or lower-case.

Q4h

Every 4 hours

Q6h

Every 6 hours

BID

Twice a day

TID

Three times a day

QID

Four times a day

PO

Oral - by the oral route

subQ

Subcutaneous - by the subcutaneous route

IM

Intramuscular - by the intramuscular route

IV

Intravenous - by the intravenous route

L

Liter

mL

milliliter

g

gram

mg

milligram

mcg

microgram

JCAHO's Do Not Use Abbreviations

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