PROHIBITED Abbreviations and Symbols (should NEVER be used)
MCG Health System 2006
If an abbreviation on this list is used, the care provider must seek clarification BEFORE proceeding with the
order, test, treatment and/ or intervention(s)*
Abbreviation
For
Reason
Use Instead
Apothecary symbols
(such as µ , gr or
Dram, minim, teaspoon,
grain
Misunderstood &
misread
Metric system only
(ex. 5ml)
QD
QOD
“d” or “/d”
U or u
Daily
Every other day
“Per day” or “per dose”
Units
Misread as qid or
misread for each other
Confuse dose, day, qid
Can read as a zero, 4 or
9 leading to dosing error
Daily or “qday”
“every other day”
Spell out “day” or “dose”
Spell out “units”
I.U.
µg
International Units
Microgram
Can be read as IV
Misread as mg
Spell out “units”
Spell out mcg
Zero after decimal
point
(e.g. 1.0mg)
1mg
Misread as 10-fold
higher dose if decimal
not seen
Do not use terminal zeros for
doses expressed in whole
numbers
Misread as 10-fold
higher dose if decimal
not seen
Always use a zero before a
decimal when the dose is less
than a whole unit
Abbreviated drug name
May misread as 55 or not
recognize as insulin
Leading decimal point
before dose less than
one
(e.g. .5mg)
SS or SSI
0.5mg
For sliding scale insulin
or ss = one half
It is not acceptable to use short-cuts for medication or product name, except for specific CDC-approved vaccine
abbreviations for routine recommended vaccines as part of a complete order specifying dose/route. e.g. DTaP, IPV, HepB,
MMR, Hib, PCV7, Td.
The following medication abbreviations are absolutely PROHIBITED due to high risk of serious errors.
MS
MSO4
MgSO4
Any abbreviation for a
chemotherapy
(oncology) drug
morphine or magnesium
sulfate!
Spell out Morphine
Spell out Magnesium Sulfate
Can be misinterpreted or
misread. Single
abbreviation may mean
different things to
different staff members,
or not even be
recognized as a drug !
*
If, in the judgement of the professionals providing care (i.e. nurse, pharmacist) the order is clear and complete and the delay to
obtain confirmation from the provider prior to executionof the order would put the patient at greater risk, then the order should be
carried out and the confirmation obtained as soon as possible thereafter.
(Source: JCAHO FAQ 7/30/03 on jcaho.org)
Approved by MCGHI Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee November 18, 2003 (includes JCAHO 2004 mandate)
Approved by MCGHI Medical Executive Committee, November 21, 2003
Addition of “/d” approved by Medical Executive Committees in January 2006 (MC) and February 1, 2006 (CMC)
Abbreviations PROHIBITED Feb 2006.doc