Do Not Use abbreviations

Abbreviations flagged in the app as do-not-use or error-prone. Each entry says what to write instead.

• AD, AS, AURight ear, left ear, each ear. Error-prone: confused with OD, OS, OU (eyes). Write right ear, left ear or each ear.
• APAPAcetaminophen. ISMP: error-prone because it is not always recognized; write acetaminophen.
• ccCubic centimeter. Error-prone: misread as u (units); write mL. In charting, capital CC means chief complaint.
• D/CCan mean discharge or discontinue. Error-prone: medications have been stopped too early. Write discharge or discontinue.
• HCTZHydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. ISMP: do not abbreviate; HCTZ can be misread as hydrocortisone. Write the full name.
• hs, HSLowercase hs means at bedtime; HS has meant half-strength, and each is misread as the other. ISMP: write HS or bedtime…
• INIntranasal. Error-prone: misread as IM or IV. Write NAS or intranasal.
• IUInternational unit. On the Joint Commission Do Not Use list: misread as IV or the number 10. TJC says write…
• MgSO4Magnesium sulfate. On the Do Not Use list: confused with morphine sulfate. Write magnesium sulfate.
• MSMultiple sclerosis. As a drug abbreviation for morphine sulfate it is on the Do Not Use list; write the drug name.
• MSO4Morphine sulfate. On the Do Not Use list: confused with magnesium sulfate. Write morphine sulfate.
• OD, OS, OURight eye, left eye, each eye. Error-prone: confused with AD, AS, AU (ears), and OD with once daily. Write the words…
• OJOrange juice. Error-prone: misread as OD or OS. Write orange juice.
• per osBy mouth. Error-prone: os can be read as left eye. Write PO, by mouth or orally.
• q1dDaily. Error-prone: misread as QID (four times daily). Write daily.
• QD, q.d.Daily. On the Do Not Use list: misread as QID or QOD. Write daily.
• QOD, q.o.d.Every other day. On the Do Not Use list: misread as daily or four times daily. Write every other day.
• SC, SQOld abbreviations for subcutaneous. Error-prone: SC read as SL (sublingual), SQ as 5 every. Write SUBQ or subcutaneous.
• TIWThree times a week. Error-prone: misread as three times a day or twice a week. Write 3 times weekly.
• tPATissue plasminogen activator, a clot-dissolving drug. ISMP advises writing the full drug name.
• trailing zeroA zero after a decimal point in a dose, as in 5.0 mg. On the Do Not Use list: it can be read as 50 mg. Write 5 mg.
• U, uUnit. On the Joint Commission Do Not Use list: can be misread as 0 or 4, causing a tenfold overdose. Write unit.
• UDAs directed (ut dictum). Error-prone: misread as unit dose. Write as directed.
• µgMicrogram symbol. Error-prone: misread as mg. Write mcg.