Home » About us » Do Not Use Abbreviation List
Refrain from using these abbreviations, symbols or other error prone designations on this list for any handwritten, preprinted, and electronic forms of medication orders, transcriptions or communications.
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|
Abbreviations |
Intended Meaning |
Misinterpretation |
Correction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
µg |
Microgram |
Mistaken as mg |
Use "mcg" or "micrograms" |
|
cc |
Cubic centimeters |
Mistaken for u (units) |
Use "ml" |
|
IU |
International units |
Mistaken for IV or 10 |
Use "units" |
|
QD or qd |
Every day |
Mistaken for QID |
Use "daily" |
|
QOD or qod |
Every other day |
Mistaken for QID or QD |
Use "every other day" |
|
QID or qid |
Four times a day |
Mistaken for QD or QOD |
Use "four times a day" |
|
U or u |
Units |
Mistaken for the number 0 or 4, causing a 10-fold error in dose (e.g, 4u seen as 40) |
Use "unit" |
|
Trailing zero after decimal (e.g., 1.0 mg) |
1 mg |
Mistaken for 10 mg if decimal is not seen |
Do not use trailing zero for doses expressed in whole numbers |
|
No leading zero before a decimal dose (e.g. .5 mg) |
0.5 mg |
Mistaken as 5 mg if the decimal point is not seen |
Use zero before a decimal point when the dose is less than a whole unit. |
|
MgSO4 |
Magnesium Sulfate |
Mistaken for morphine sulfate |
Use complete drug name |
|
MS, MSO4 |
Morphine Sulfate |
Mistaken for magnesium sulfate |
Use complete drug name |
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