Error-prone abbreviations, symbols and dose designations

Nurses Medications

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They've been circulating this at work, thought I'd share.:smiletea:

http://www.ismp.org/Tools/errorproneabbreviations.pdf

Specializes in Stroke Seizure/LTC/SNF/LTAC.

I think it's more like lower case Roman numerals. Most of us recognize I, II, III etc. In medicine, some "seasoned" people use i, ii, iii with the small horizontal line. It may be a leftover from apothecary, I'm not sure.

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Specializes in Geri, Pedi, Trauma, OR, Rehab, MH, OP.

I haven't seen a list yet at work, but we've heard from a couple of supervisors of a few abbreviations that are not to be used anymore. The ones I have the most difficulty with are TID, BID, QD, DC, SQ. I don't understand how these in particular can be soo misinterpreted and honestly it makes for a ton more paperwork having to spell out everything. These supervisors heard of these new rules somewhere and are trying to get everyone to switch over, but few of us have. There are no incident reports in this area that I am aware of, so I don't see the sense in changing unless it becomes mandated on paper. These specific ones deal daily with Medicare. So, I don't know if its something they are observing and deciding for themselves, or what. I did not realize that there were different "ways?" to abbreviate. I assumed that everyone was taught the same lingo. I guess thats what assuming gets you in this field.

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Specializes in LTC.

i saw a pack of phenergan suppositories and the label said "insert 1 suppository in right nostril q 4 hours for nausea......hilarious but incorrect. id like to see how fast that would work ! and ps...my son ate a bite of a dulcolax suppository once...and it actually did give him the squirts...although i have no idea where he got the suppository......ive never in my life bought a laxative or used one....???? but.....

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Specializes in retired from healthcare.

When I was new I was taught that the T with the dots above it means bowel movements and it looks nicer in the notes, especially if you do home care where families read them.

On a related note, is there anywhere where I can learn the shorthand being used, eg a "T" with two dots on top of it to indicate "two tablets"?

I don't even know what this system is called, and it's pretty frighteningly easy to misread/misinterpret...:banghead:

-Kevin

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