Help with abbreviations.....

Columnist · Aug 31, 2009

QD = Every day

BID = Two times a day

TID= Three times a day

QID = Four times a day

QOD = Every other day

rn/writer, RN · Aug 31, 2009

QD does indeed mean every day. But it's on a list of abbreviations that are considered dangerous because of the ease with which people tend to misread them. If QD is written with periods--Q.D.--and the period after the Q is elongated, QD can be misinterpreted as QID--four times the intended dose.

Here is a link to a chart listing other problem-causing abbreviations:

http://www.nccmerp.org/dangerousAbbrev.html

As for the others--

BID- every other day? Twice a day.

TID- every 3rd day? Three times a day.

QOD- every 4th day? Every other day. (Incidentally, I had to edit this post as I initially read that as QID! It's just so easy to read what you expect to see.)

Docs are being encouraged to write legibly and avoid abbreviations whenever possible. Pharmacists generally call to clarify things that seem incorrect (although like Spellcheck, if the order could be correct in another situation, it would probably go through, even if it's not the right order for this patient). And computer charting is helping to eliminate confusion. But whenever people are involved, there will always be a way to miscommunicate. Any time you are unclear with a written order, please take the time to check. You'll feel better, and so will your patient. :wink2:

Nightingale11 · Aug 31, 2009

Thanks everybody!