Error-Prone Abbreviations and Symbols

• These are the cause of a significant number of medication errors.

• Two organizations promote patient safety in this regard.

– TJC – “Do Not Use” list

– ISMP – List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations

Error-Prone Abbreviations and Symbols (cont.)

• Examples include: – Trailing zero after a decimal point

– No leading zero before a decimal point

Do not write 1.0 mgWrite 1 mg

Do not write .5 mg

Write 0.5 mg

Practice

SSRI q ac breakfast and hs 2 u bg 130-140mg/dl4 u bg >141 mg/dl

Ultra tears i gtt OU q4h PRN

Digoxin .125 mg POQOD: even days

Facility Name: RIMC

HCTZ 25.0 mg PO i/d

Identify error-prone abbreviations

Apply Your Knowledge

• Identify the error-prone abbreviations and symbols.BID ss QD PRN

MSO4 HCT mg mL

& subcut IV u

IM IJ tiw ID