Unapproved abbreviations

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.

Our monthly staff mtg was yesterday and once again we were read the right act about not using unapproved abbreviations. Management was a little more persistent about getting the point across as we are due for an inspection and we are currently skating on thin ice about this issue. Now the word is if we find an unapproved abbreviation being used like MS instead of Morphine Sufate or "u" instead of units we are to of course clarify the order, rewrite it in the approved manner, make a copy of form that the unapproved order and clarification is on and place that copy in our manager's mailbox.

Do others have this problem? What is interesting is they know who the repeat offenders are...certain MD's and one particular unit of which they have had a talking to. I completely understand why we need to watch that we are not doing this because a lot of it has to do with pt safety. How do others handle this? They have plastered papers everywhere about what abbreviations are unapproved...can't even sit on the pot without seeing one. Any other suggestions about "what works?" :idea:

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Two words: computerized orders. ;)

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most problems I've seen are in the nurses notes.The md's just can't write at all, or they write beautifuly.The Doc's that cant write should be called on the carpetby administration or midnight clarfication calls.

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
Two words: computerized orders. ;)

I agree Catlady...and this is yet to come...they say...but right now we are skating the thin line and are about to possibly lose accreditation..so they also say. Unless they are just trying to put the fear of God in us...which worked for me! :eek: And when I say the computerized orders are yet to come, we are talking 5+years down the road. Igh!

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
most problems I've seen are in the nurses notes.The md's just can't write at all, or they write beautifuly.The Doc's that cant write should be called on the carpetby administration or midnight clarfication calls.

Yup vloho, we also see problems in the nurses notes...I have to double and triple check myself. We are also to obtain a copy of the NN for the manager's box if that is where we find the problem. Anywhere we see it, we are to copy it...and put it in her box...:uhoh3: .

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I have begun to just write it all out of course that takes a dictionary.

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all of our flow sheets, md progress sheets, and order sheets have at the bottom all the biggie no-no abbreviations. it helped; we are down to a handful of problem docs and a nurse or two who do this.

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
all of our flow sheets, md progress sheets, and order sheets have at the bottom all the biggie no-no abbreviations. it helped; we are down to a handful of problem docs and a nurse or two who do this.

That is a pretty good idea, Tazzi, thank you! For some reason, I think we have this on the order sheets, but it still gets overlooked. I think they also have sheets plastered in the dictation areas about the big no-no abbreviations...I wonder if they paste it up in the Dr's pots??? :lol2:

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That is a pretty good idea, Tazzi, thank you! For some reason, I think we have this on the order sheets, but it still gets overlooked. I think they also have sheets plastered in the dictation areas about the big no-no abbreviations...I wonder if they paste it up in the Dr's pots??? :lol2:

why not? we have bulletins posted in the staff bathroom, and it works!

the thing about having the no-no list everywhere is that "i forgot" no longer becomes an excuse and disciplinary measures can be taken.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

At all of our nursing stations and near our pixis we have a little yellow card of 'no no abreviations' so that we remember. Also, our facility gave all the RN's and MD's pens that have those written on them. That helps out!

The only one I really have to watch is the 'u' instead of units because I am sooooo use to writing 'u'...thank goodness that is an easy fix though...LOL! I have always written out Morphine Sulfate because I keep thinking of MS as the condition! LOL!

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
At all of our nursing stations and near our pixis we have a little yellow card of 'no no abreviations' so that we remember. Also, our facility gave all the RN's and MD's pens that have those written on them. That helps out!

The only one I really have to watch is the 'u' instead of units because I am sooooo use to writing 'u'...thank goodness that is an easy fix though...LOL! I have always written out Morphine Sulfate because I keep thinking of MS as the condition! LOL!

Thanks Triage! Pens ya say??? Interesting! :idea:

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Specializes in Acute Med, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

at our hospital we have little green cards everywhere. there's enough that people can carry them around if they want.

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