"Do Not Use List" of abbreviations

BabyRN2Be · Jul 28, 2005

Where can I find this list? Can someone post it or a link to it? I'd really like to see it. If someone could do that, I'd appreciate it. Or if you could tell me where I could find it, that would work. Thanks!

suzanne4, RN · Jul 28, 2005

Your schools should have the list, as it must be followed when writing orders,

filling out consents, etc.

LeesieBug · Jul 28, 2005

U write out "unit"

IU write "international unit"

Q.D., QOD write "daily", "every other day"

X.0 mg trailing zero never use a single zero after a decimal point

.X mg always use a zero before a decimal point

MS, MSO4, MgSO4 write "morphine sulphate or magnesium sulphate"

mg (with the squiggly m) write "mcg"

hs Write "half-strength" or "at bedtime"

t.i.w write "three times weekly"

SC or SQ write "Sub-Q", "subQ" or "subcutaneously"

D/C write "discharge"

cc use "ml"

AS,AD, AU write "left ear", "right ear",etc.

OS, OD, OU write "left eye" etc.

This was the list provided for me by my school. At the jcaho site they had this list available as the "official" do not use list. I'm thinking those added in to my list are suggestions.

http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/patient+safety/06_dnu_list.pdf

So basically, to make a long story short, the abbreviations we use most often, don't use them anymore :chuckle

soontobe_RN · Jul 28, 2005

I did set up a poll and with the first post I was able to give a website for the "do not use list" of abbreviations. This site I think is the same as another poster gave. I will post on the thread to bring it back to the begining.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 28, 2005

This list is available in every single health care facility in the UC that is covered by JCAHO. It is actually even written at the top of most medication order sheets.

AtlantaRN, RN · Jul 29, 2005

Some of it is appropriate like "u" instead of writing units, I agree with that one. But like "DC home", what ELSE could it mean. We were wasting alot of time "clarifying" orders with docs to the point that one doc would write:

DC = Discharge, cease treatment and send their butts home!

That was there was no question what he meant...

AtlantaRN

fergus51 · Jul 29, 2005

I think most of them are appropriate. We have had problems in our unit with residents writing 1.0 but it looking a lot like 10. Same thing how mcg can look like mg and 10u can look like 100. Confusion could cost a patient's life, so I'll happily obey rules to make things as clear as possible.

RoxanRN · Jul 29, 2005

U write out "unit"
IU write "international unit"
Q.D., QOD write "daily", "every other day"
X.0 mg trailing zero never use a single zero after a decimal point
.X mg always use a zero before a decimal point
MS, MSO4, MgSO4 write "morphine sulphate or magnesium sulphate"
mg (with the squiggly m) write "mcg"
hs Write "half-strength" or "at bedtime"
t.i.w write "three times weekly"
SC or SQ write "Sub-Q", "subQ" or "subcutaneously"
D/C write "discharge"
cc use "ml"
AS,AD, AU write "left ear", "right ear",etc.
OS, OD, OU write "left eye" etc.
This was the list provided for me by my school. At the jcaho site they had this list available as the "official" do not use list. I'm thinking those added in to my list are suggestions.
http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/patient+safety/06_dnu_list.pdf
So basically, to make a long story short, the abbreviations we use most often, don't use them anymore :chuckle

My facility's policy includes all of the above except 'DC' and 'SC' or 'SQ.' We also don't use Apothecary symbols. On JCAHO's 'possible inclusion' list, we continue to use the > and

LeesieBug · Jul 29, 2005

I think the abbreviations wouldn't be much of a problem, for the most part, if people could just take a few extra seconds to write LEGIBLY. What and idea, huh? :rolleyes:

I think the most important, as someone else mentioned, are the lead and trailing zeros, and certain unit abbreviations...mcg, etc.

Honestly, in the last two years of clinicals, the charts have been absolutely crawling with these "do not use" abbreviations...so I'm not sure if it is catching on much around here.

PMHNP10 · Jul 30, 2005

What do you think about the "Do Not Use List" of abbreviations implemented by the Joint Commision in 2004?
I am trying to set up a poll.

I thought the fact that I passed nursing school and subsequently the NCLEX meant that I was able to think critically. If I have a question I ask. If I can't read something I ask. They are an insult to my intelligence. I'm a fairly new nurse, but unless I'm mistaken, these abbreviations have been around for a day or two. After all of those nurses giving all of those meds which were ordered using those abbreviations, how did they not manage to kill off more of their patients. But now thanks to joko, lives have been saved. It's truly remarkable. :rolleyes:

IMHO it's just another example of joko making up new standards to justify their existence. How bout a safe staffing standard if they are so worried about pt. safety. I guess that just gets lost in the shuffle of more important things like filling out forms about teaching smoking cessation, flu/pneumonia imunization history, med consents, triplicates of restraint usage paperwork, pain assessment forms and on and on and on.

itsy-bitsy · Aug 23, 2005

I think the abbreviations wouldn't be much of a problem, for the most part, if people could just take a few extra seconds to write LEGIBLY. What and idea, huh?
I think the most important, as someone else mentioned, are the lead and trailing zeros, and certain unit abbreviations...mcg, etc.
Honestly, in the last two years of clinicals, the charts have been absolutely crawling with these "do not use" abbreviations...so I'm not sure if it is catching on much around here.

instead of blaming perfectly serviceable terms and abbreviations, folks should slow down and write legibly--even print, if they must. sort of like the driver who tells the cop "the tree hit my car." heh.