Unapproved abbreviations

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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:

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

OOOHH that is good too nursesarah! Thank-You!

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Two words: computerized orders. ;)

Wow talk about being up to date with the papper work.

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Specializes in LDRP.

All docs order sheets have them written across the bottom

Now, the biggie is that if we scan an order to pharmacy, and it has an unapproved abbreviation, they send us a little love note that says they won't put the order in until it is written correctly (only exception is a one time stat dose)

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
All docs order sheets have them written across the bottom

Now, the biggie is that if we scan an order to pharmacy, and it has an unapproved abbreviation, they send us a little love note that says they won't put the order in until it is written correctly (only exception is a one time stat dose)

That too is interesting! I do not know how involved our pharmacy is with this issue, but that would be a good idea even if it takes a nasty-gram from them to remind us. Thanks Happy!

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Our hospital printed a list of unapproved abbreviations on hideously pink card stock and made it a part of the chart in the "MD Orders" section - it's in every chart. I don't know is no longer an excuse for anyone.

We have difficulties with abbreviations used not being on the the 'approved' abbreviation list. Even though you are not required to have an 'approved' abbreviations list, if you have one and don't use it, I think that can cause problems too.

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
Our hospital printed a list of unapproved abbreviations on hideously pink card stock and made it a part of the chart in the "MD Orders" section - it's in every chart. I don't know is no longer an excuse for anyone.

We have difficulties with abbreviations used not being on the the 'approved' abbreviation list. Even though you are not required to have an 'approved' abbreviations list, if you have one and don't use it, I think that can cause problems too.

Thanks Heather, that is a good idea. I know we have an approved abbreviation list as well in the policy and procedure book. Yes, I know that we too can be in trouble if we don't use it. Our huge problem right now is the unapproved abbreviations that gets Joint Commission all bent out of shape. Our MDs try to also use the "I didn't know." line...:uhoh3: ...so do some of the nurses. Ugh!

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When I first read your entry, it sounded like you were down on the director for coming down on this.

Where I have worked, we have been dealing w/this for at least 4 years, 2 years ago they lowered the boom and refused to acknowledge orders w/the unapproved abbreviations used. Many Dr and staff knew better but did not want to make the extra effort to change, this moritorium just forced the issue. It takes pharmacy having the support and conviction to do this.

I teach a class in basic pharmacology at the Jr college. We started showing the students the unapproved abbreviations, but telling them not to use them. Just wanted them to recogize them.

Now we don't even teach them, we figure that if a new nurse does not know what someone wrote, it reinforces to the one who mis-wrote!

It just isn't an issue in our 3 hospitals anymore.

It's safety, not just someone's whim to make a change

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.
When I first read your entry, it sounded like you were down on the director for coming down on this.

Where I have worked, we have been dealing w/this for at least 4 years, 2 years ago they lowered the boom and refused to acknowledge orders w/the unapproved abbreviations used. Many Dr and staff knew better but did not want to make the extra effort to change, this moritorium just forced the issue. It takes pharmacy having the support and conviction to do this.

I teach a class in basic pharmacology at the Jr college. We started showing the students the unapproved abbreviations, but telling them not to use them. Just wanted them to recogize them.

Now we don't even teach them, we figure that if a new nurse does not know what someone wrote, it reinforces to the one who mis-wrote!

It just isn't an issue in our 3 hospitals anymore.

It's safety, not just someone's whim to make a change

I am sorry that you felt this way. It was not my intention at all to come across in the manner you suggest nor would I ever see this as someone's whim and I realize both then and now that it is a safety issue. My concern was could we be doing anything else in addition to what our manager wants us to do because they were more than serious when they were discussing with us the possibility of losing our accreditation. I like my job, I don't want to lose it and I am not out to bash my manager or her ideas. I just want to make sure we are indeed doing everything we can, that's all.

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